Rice University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Rice University charges a net price of $13,370/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $53,480. Graduates earn a median $89,718 ten years after entry, $41,358/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.3 years — a 20-year net return of $773,680, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Rice University's 1.3-year payback ranks #23 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 98% of them, and #1 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,370/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $53,480 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $89,718 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $41,358/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $11,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $773,680 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Rice University's own numbers. Net price $13,370 × 4 years = $53,480 total. Median earnings $89,718 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $41,358 a year of premium. $53,480 ÷ $41,358 = 1.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $773,680. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Rice University students graduate with?
A median $11,000 in federal loans among completers, or 12% of the $89,718 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Rice University students graduate?
95% finish their degree. Spread the $53,480 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $56,295 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Rice University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $13,370 net price runs $5,989 below the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, and $23,956 less across the full degree.