Rice announces historic enrollment growth, expanding access and free tuition

With a commitment to surpassing $1.5B in financial aid in next 5 years, strategic expansion focuses on opportunity, academic excellence

HOUSTON, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rice University Board of Trustees has approved an ambitious plan to increase access to a Rice education by growing the university's student body by fall 2028, marking an unprecedented growth trajectory that began earlier this decade. The expansion is part of Rice's commitment to access and is aligned with a strategic vision to solidify its position as a global leader in both teaching and research. 

Rice, consistently ranked among the top 20 colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, has increased its incoming class size from approximately 1,000 freshman and transfer students (2016-2020) to about 1,300 this year. The university continues to experience record demand, receiving over 36,700 applications for the 1,300 spots — a 13% increase from last year.

The increased access also expands opportunities for financial aid through The Rice Investment, the university's free tuition program launched in 2019, funded in part by the university's endowment. With its planned growth in enrollment and its commitment to offering free tuition and loan-free financial aid, Rice will surpass $1.5 billion in financial aid in the next five years since the program's inception. The university has already provided more than $650 million in grant aid — 54% more than in the previous five years.

Five years ago, Rice's undergraduate population was around 4,000 with a goal to grow to 4,800 undergraduates. The university is extending its growth to approximately 5,200 undergraduate students by 2028, which will amount to a 30% increase since 2020. The current graduate population of 4,100 is also set for significant growth, coupled with the growth in faculty. At the conclusion of this growth period, the university projects it will enroll approximately 9,500 students.

"This planned pace of our growth makes Rice one of the most ambitious and fastest-growing institutions in the country among our private peers," Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. "As we expand access, we are committed to preserving what makes Rice special — the culture of care, a commitment to excellence, low student-to-faculty ratio and our close-knit community — while adapting to the evolving landscape of higher education and society. Striking the right balance between these core values and our global ambitions is a constant focus, ensuring Rice continues to thrive and have a meaningful impact in our community and on the world."

In October, the university introduced its new strategic plan, Momentous, focused on providing exceptional, personalized education that drives global impact. With its growth plans in place, Rice remains committed to preserving its low student-to-faculty ratio, which stands at 6-to-1. The university hired a record 97 new faculty members in 2024 and plans to continue expanding its faculty in the years ahead. Two residential halls are currently under expansion and construction to support student growth with a planned total of 12 residential colleges.

Interest in Rice has reached an all-time high, driven partly by The Rice Investment, which offers full-tuition scholarships to students from families earning under $140,000, and at least half-tuition for those earning between $140,000 and $200,000. Students from families earning less than $75,000 receive full coverage for tuition, fees and living expenses.

"Our growth is not only outpacing other private institutions, but our location in Houston — home to the third most Fortune 500 companies in the nation— gives us a distinct competitive edge," said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid. "Located in the energy capital of the world and just steps from the Texas Medical Center, Rice offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and access. This unique positioning makes the university an increasingly attractive destination for students who want to be at the intersection of innovation, research and impact." 

Rice's growth plan includes expanding its graduate programs, which have already grown 18% since 2020. Graduate applications are at record highs, with U.S. doctoral applications up 21% over last year. The university offers 22 graduate programs ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News & World Report. To support this expansion, and to promote entrepreneurship and better connect with the business community, new graduate housing is being planned in the Ion District, Rice's innovation district located in midtown Houston.

"Rice is providing leadership for the region with larger and more impactful doctoral and professional graduate programs," said Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies. "As our students pursue scholarship and develop expertise, they advance their careers and drive development across key industries including AI and computing, energy, innovations in health, technology and beyond. Their collaborations with local companies and research institutions contribute directly to the city's economic growth, strengthening Houston's position as a global hub for innovation and opportunity." 

Rice is expanding with several other additions, including Cannady Hall for Architecture, the Ralph S. O'Connor Building for Engineering and Science, the redesigned Academic Quadrangle and ongoing construction of a new state-of-the-art business school building and Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall, a new home for arts education. Rice will also break ground in early May on a new student center complex, the Moody Center Complex for Student Life.

This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

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About Rice University
Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris, and Rice Global India in Bengaluru. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review. 

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SOURCE Rice University