The ambitious expansion strategy, approved by Rice's Board of Trustees, will grow the undergraduate student body to approximately 5,200 students while significantly increasing graduate enrollment to reach a projected total university enrollment of 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," said Rice President Dr. Reginald DesRoches.
The expansion coincides with a substantial financial aid commitment through The Rice Investment program, 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 comprehensive coverage for tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Rice officials project they will provide more than $1.5 billion in financial aid over the next five years, having already distributed over $650 million in grant aid since launching the program in 2019—a 54% increase compared to the previous five-year period.
The Houston-based institution has experienced surging demand with over 36,700 applications for approximately 1,300 freshman and transfer spots this year, representing a 13% increase from last year.
