Unlike most universities with a fraternity/sorority house system, students here are separated into eleven dorm colleges that have their own dining halls and public rooms. It's almost like the four houses from Harry Potter. The dorm colleges arrange social events and often have a friendly rivalry with each other.

Rice University is known for its science and engineering programs, including the first space science department in the U.S., which can prepare graduates to pursue jobs at NASA. With a low student-to-faculty ratio of just 6-to-1, Rice offers personalized guidance to its students.

The university was founded in 1891 and endowed by Houston businessman William Marsh Rice. The Rice Institute (as it was then named) opened its doors in 1912. It became a university in 1960. In 1963 the first space science department in the United States was established at Rice.

Rice is named after the Houston businessman William Marsh Rice who provided the money in his will to begin the university. Rice University.

The people at Rice are very caring -- peers, mentors, etc. Everyone is super supportive and they really look out for one another. I would not change anything about my experience there. Rice is an incredibly diverse school with many opportunities for students with different interests.

Rice has a small student population, making it easy to create close bonds. It also gives students an opportunity to connect with professors and the general student body. The community at Rice is very welcoming and supportive, and they are always willing to help one another. See why I chose Rice University.

We are renowned for our research and academics, but you'll find that Rice is more than a place of study. It's a diverse academic community, where our exceptional faculty takes a personal interest in your intellectual growth, the quality of your education, and your future.

A small community of scholars nestled in the heart of Houston - that's the beauty of the Rice experience. Small class sizes and intimate learning experience intersects with a vibrant and diverse student body and no shortage of professional opportunities in the fourth largest city in the country.

Rice is an amazing place to live and learn. My class sizes are small, so I feel very connected to my professors. I have been given many opportunities both academically and socially.

Awarded one of America's Best Colleges Rice University is one of the most elite private colleges in the South, with an acceptance rate of 9% and a graduation rate of 92%. Classes are small at the tree-lined, Houston-based university, with a tiny 6:1 student-faculty ratio.

Rice remains the highest rated university in Texas and the 15th highest rated private university in the country. Rice landed among the nation's top 10 universities in two other categories with its undergraduate teaching program tied for No. 6 and its biomedical engineering program ranked No. 9.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1560 SAT or a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.12 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.