Rice Housing Costs

$12,000 On-Campus Room Typical Cost

$6,100 On-Campus Meals Typical Cost

$1,440 Books & Supplies Typical Cost

$2,850 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

How Much Will it Cost to Live at Rice?

It is important to understand all of the costs associated with going to college so you can plan accordingly at Rice University.

On this page you will find:

Living Expenses Outline
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Housing and Meal Plan Costs at Rice

This school prices housing and dining separately. The on-campus housing cost for a typical student was $12,000 in 2026, and a standard meal plan cost $6,100. All in all, a typical on-campus student at Rice University paid roughly $26,530 in 2026 across housing, dining, books and other living expenses.

Discover housing costs for both on-campus and off-campus, as well as meals and other expenses at Rice University.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$22,240	$21,740
— Housing	$12,000
— Meals	$6,100
Other Living Expenses	$2,850	$2,850
Books and Supplies	$1,440	$1,440
Total	$26,530	$26,030

Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses? Estimated Four-Year Cost: $121,334

Room and board is a moving target: it tends to creep up every year you are enrolled. Looking at the trend gives you a realistic picture of what you will actually spend by graduation.

Over the course of obtaining your degree, expect on-campus living costs near $121,334 by the time you graduate.

Below is how room and board has changed across recent reported years — and where current trends point — at Rice University.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$18,650
Two Years Ago	$18,950
One Year Ago	$19,920
Most Recent Year (2026)	$22,240
One Year From Now *	$23,667
Two Years From Now *	$25,185
Three Years From Now *	$26,801
Four Years From Now *	$28,521

* estimated

Most recently, on-campus costs increased an average of 6.4% a year over the last three years. At the same pace next year, the total would be roughly $27,957 for their first year on campus.

Projected forward, the last year of a four-year degree runs about $32,811 for a bachelor’s degree, while a two-year (associate) student would pay around $29,475 in the final year of a two-year (associate) degree.

For a full bachelor’s degree, expect to spend a total of around $121,334 for four years, or about $57,432 for a two-year stay.

Build In Yearly Cost Growth

Room and board tends to rise year over year at most schools, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.

Answers to Questions About Living and Dining at Rice

Not all meal plans work the same way. This school structures its plans by meals per week, and the table below lists the largest plan offered. For details on living on campus, including capacity, see the table below.