Welcome to Houston, America's fourth largest and most diverse city, with one of the youngest, fastest-growing populations anywhere in the world. The Rice campus is surrounded by restaurants, museums, theaters, professional sports, lush parks, and the world’s largest medical center. Whichever nickname you use — Space City, H-Town, Bayou City — Houston is the perfect place to spend two years (or more) during graduate school.
Imagine. Houston.
Houston is inspired. It’s a diverse, vibrant city full of talented people where anything is possible. You belong here.
“I love the diversity of people and activities in Houston - there is always something unique going on. Through the many festivals, restaurants, and markets, I can explore different cultures without ever having to leave town!”
Emily Romero, Master of Accounting ‘20
Why Houston
Scrawled on the overpass above a teeming freeway, a set of giant handwritten letters urge all who pass through: BE SOMEONE. Those two words also happen to be shorthand for why the culture of this port city is a great fit for business students. The average cost of living here is 26 percent lower than in other major U.S. cities, and in this pro-business ecosystem, opportunity abounds. Students graduate with an MBA in the most ethnically diverse city in the country.
Houston’s new Innovation District is helping the city diversify its industries, connect entrepreneurs with venture capital, and build its reputation as a startup hub. With historic firsts like the moon landing and the development of an artificial heart, innovation is in the city’s blood.
Once known for oil and gas and wildcatters, Houston has refined its reputation as one of the world’s great global cities. Today it also draws businesses and talent in healthcare, life sciences, digital tech, aerospace, manufacturing, trade and transportation. While it still boasts “the energy capital of the world” nickname, Houston is so much more than that.
Houstonians enjoy the perks of big city life without the hefty price tag. Whether it’s a weekend grocery run or your monthly rent, a dollar goes further in Houston — the third lowest overall cost of living among the nation’s 20 most populous metropolitan areas.
The southern charm and warm people is my favorite thing about Houston. Everyone at Rice and outside is very kind, genuine and helpful. This made the transition so much easier and I never felt I was in a different country thousands of miles away from home.
Kunal Shinde
Full-Time MBA ‘21
It is very easy to live in Houston. You don’t need a winter coat, rent is quite inexpensive compared to cities the same size, and there is easy-to-find parking everywhere!
Francisco Alvarez Rincon
Full-Time MBA ‘20
After I moved to Houston, I’ll never think about moving from here. You find your lifetime friends here.
Ariel Chen
Full-Time MBA ‘20
A Major League
Houston is a major league sports town. Whether you're rooting for the Astros, Rockets, Texans, Dynamo or Dash, you're never far from the action. And don't miss the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each spring, the world's largest!
Houston’s museum district offers the Museum of Fine Arts, Children's Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum, Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, and evening performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park among other attractions. The city's theater district provides world-class, year-round resident companies in all of the major performing arts — the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, The Alley Theatre and the Houston Ballet. Something for everyone.
Even though you’ll spend a ton of time on campus, you still need a place to come home to. We have a housing guide just for Rice Business students because we understand that the small things about an apartment are often the most important. Most of our students live in West University, Montrose and Midtown.
Houston is hot right now — and we don’t just mean the weather. Come see why this inclusive city attracts one of the most diverse populations in the country. You’ll fit right in.
