MBA Frequently Asked Questions

We are a small and selective business school with a challenging and supportive learning culture. Rigorous and relevant. Our world-renowned faculty and programs will feed your curiosity, nudge you to ask the right questions and provide you with the skills required to achieve your goals.  

At Rice Business, our program is more than academics. We provide plenty of opportunities to grow outside the classroom. For instance, we provide international opportunities for all MBA students designed to broaden your global perspective and prepare you to change the world. Nationally and globally, the Rice Business MBA program continues to be recognized for excellence and has risen consistently over the last decade, putting us in the company of the nation’s most distinguished business schools. Learn more about Rice Business here.

We have been the #1 graduate entrepreneurship program for the past seven years and have been in the top 10 for over 12 years. Here, entrepreneurship is more than a class— it’s a way of thinking that is central to all our teaching. Whether you’re starting a new enterprise or making something happen at the company where you work, the entrepreneurial mindset is a crucial part of your tool kit. 

No matter what Rice MBA program you choose, you belong here. Explore here why a Rice MBA is right for you.  

We offer multiple MBA formats to meet your goals and schedule. No matter what MBA program you choose you will receive the same Rice MBA degree, learn from the same top-notch faculty and be part of an amazing tight-knit alumni network. We offer: 

• A Full-time MBA, included a Deferred MBA option for college seniors
• A Professional MBA with weekend and evening options for those who want to work while earning their MBA on campus
• A Hybrid MBA for working professionals within and outside of Houston who can only come to campus once a month
• An Online MBA, MBA@Rice, for those who need the flexibility of an online program
• An Executive MBA for experienced professionals

We also offer a coordinated MBA in professional science and a dual MD/MBA with Baylor College of Medicine. 

Not sure what program is right for you? Take our quick assessment here to find the right MBA program for you. 

Yes, all students in our different MBA formats receive the same Rice MBA degree. Take our quick assessment here to find the right MBA program for you. 

Yes. All our MBA programs are STEM certified. The STEM designation is a direct response to the data-driven business environment, employer needs and student interest. Our Rice MBA graduates are known in the marketplace for broad problem-solving skills, reflecting a curriculum grounded in quantitative and data-analytic methodologies across the disciplines. Learn more about our curriculum here.

This designation not only recognizes the quantitative orientation of our programs, but also provides F-1 visa students the opportunity to apply for the STEM OPT extension. The extension allows international graduates, who may now hold U.S. jobs for only 12 months after graduation, to remain in the U.S. for an additional 24 months and receive training through work experience. All current and incoming Rice Business international students who are on an F-1 visa will be eligible to apply for the extension under this new designation. Learn more about our curriculum here.

Our programs are designed to be completed in two years. You can finish the online MBA program in as few as 24 months or extend to fit the program within your schedule.  You can compare the different MBA formats offered here.  No matter what Rice MBA you choose, you earn the same top-ranked MBA degree taught by the same world-class faculty. Explore here why a Rice MBA is right for you. 

No matter which MBA program you select, you can customize your degree with the electives. Our Online MBA students have seven focus areas to choose from. And our Full-Time MBA students can choose from among 10 specializations. Each specialization requires 9-12 credits and is designed to complement the broader MBA education. Keep in mind: specializations are not mandatory; They are a means to enhance your personal and professional growth. Our advising team can work with you to plan your elective selections, using specializations as a guide.

• Accounting
• Energy
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Healthcare
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Real Estate
• Strategy and Environment

Read more about MBA specializations here.

Our programs’ curriculums are specifically designed to help you transform your career and equip you with problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that ensure your success. You can choose from 100+ electives in a variety of areas, including accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and more. 

Among our top electives are exciting courses like Financing the Startup Venture, Entrepreneurship in Biotech, Blockchain: The Internet of Value, Power and Influence in Organizations, and Strategy in Technology Ecosystems. 

Learn more about each program’s curriculum below: 

• The Full-Time MBA Curriculum
• The Professional MBA Curriculum
• The Hybrid MBA Curriculum
• The Executive MBA Curriculum
• The Online MBA Curriculum

The same MBA degree is awarded in all programs, but the profile of the students in each program will differ. Our Professional MBA class has on average 7 years of work experience while our Executive MBA class has 17 years of work experience. Our Executive MBA students are experienced professionals already at the top of organizations. Our Professional MBA students are still striving for significant career growth. Our Hybrid MBA is similar to our Professional MBA but is designed for working professionals within and outside of Houston who can only come to campus once a month. Our Online MBA is nearly all online enabling students to earn a Rice MBA wherever they are.  We encourage you to take our Find Your Rice MBA Quiz to find the right program for you or speak with one of our recruiters.  

We offer five different MBA programs, a Full-Time, Professional, Hybrid, Executive and Online MBA program. You can view tuition* and financial aid information for each of the programs below:

• Full-Time MBA: Tuition and Financial Aid
• Professional MBA: Tuition and Financial Aid
• Hybrid MBA: Tuition and Financial Aid
• Executive MBA: Tuition and Financial Aid
• Online MBA: Tuition and Financial Aid

An MBA from Rice is an investment that will pay dividends throughout your career. Our financial aid options, help make your goals attainable and ensure a strong return on your investment. You can learn more about financing your degree here.

*Please note that tuition increases 3-5% each year and will not be published until late December before the year you plan to enroll in.

The class profiles for our MBA programs differ. You can view the class profiles for our Full-Time, Professional, Hybrid, Online and Executive MBA programs below. 

• The Full-Time MBA Class Profile
• The Professional MBA Class Profile
• The Executive MBA Class Profile
• The Hybrid MBA Class Profile
• The Online MBA Class Profile

We encourage you to join an admissions event or speak with a recruiter with any additional questions.

To learn about the Rice MBA programs, you can schedule a meeting with a member of the Recruiting and Admissions team, attend a recruiting event, visit a class or reach out to a student ambassador.

In the meantime, explore the reasons why you belong at Rice Business here.

Our graduates reach record-breaking success in the job market – the product of strong partnerships between hiring companies and our alumni, faculty, staff and students. We draw employers in a wide variety of industries, led by consulting, finance, energy, manufacturing and technology. Employers who recruit include Google, Amazon, EY, Goldman Sachs and ExxonMobil, among many others.  

To learn more about companies that recruit for our Full-Time and Professional MBA programs, as well as other career highlights for the programs, check out the pages below: 

• Full-Time MBA Career Highlights
• Professional MBA Career Highlights

Read more about why a Rice MBA is a good decision for career growth here.

In recent years, Rice had the highest salaries reported in school history. View up-to-date salary information for our Full-Time and Professional MBA programs’ most recent class of graduates below: 

• Full-Time MBA Career Highlights
• Professional MBA Career Highlights

Check out this blog that talks more about Rice MBA career outcomes. 

When you graduate from Rice Business, you join a supportive, worldwide network of alumni. While many are based in the southwest and the west coast, our graduates span 50+ countries and every major industry, including consulting, technology, finance, investment banking, energy, manufacturing and healthcare. Employers who recruit at Rice Business include Google, Amazon, EY, Goldman Sachs and ExxonMobil, among many others.  

To learn more about career highlights for our Full-Time and Professional MBA programs, view the pages below: 

• Full-Time MBA Career Highlights
• Professional MBA Career Highlights

Check out this blog that talks more about Rice MBA career outcomes. 

The top industries for our Full-Time MBA students are consulting, finance, investment banking, energy, technology, manufacturing and healthcare. Our students pursue many different types of roles within these industries and join industries outside of these. We invite you to visit the Career Development Office to learn more or check out this blog that talks more about Rice MBA career outcomes. 

Please check the Admissions Guide section of our site for the most up-to-date deadline information.

Below is a high-level overview of what is generally needed for our application. You can follow this link to view our detailed application guide. 

• Completed online application
• Required essays
• Professional resume
• Unofficial copies of test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Unofficial copies of your transcripts
• Application fee paid

Rice Business is selective about who we admit because we want to foster rewarding and meaningful connections for our students. But that doesn’t mean we’re looking for a long list of accomplishments. We’re looking for diverse perspectives, authentic voices and innovative thinkers. 

We want the application process to be as smooth as possible. Our admissions guide will help you put your best foot forward. If you want to learn more about the application process, attend an admissions event, connect with our recruiting and admissions team, or reach out to a current student. We’re here to help you.

Our application process is holistic, meaning that the Admissions Committee does not assign weights or percentages to the various application components. Rather, we evaluate metrics (GPA and standardized test scores) in conjunction with the more qualitative elements such as work experience, admissions interviews and community involvement, to determine a candidate’s overall fit with the program.

Course work from other programs is not transferable.

We require either the GMAT, GRE or the Executive Assessment for our Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA and the Hybrid MBA. 

Full-Time MBA candidates may be eligible for a standardized test waiver. You will have to start an application before you can request a GMAT waiver. For more information, please complete the GMAT Waiver Request Form. 

Professional MBA and Hybrid MBA candidates may apply without a test score with sufficient reasoning, such as a terminal degree, a master's degree or more than 3 years of work experience. There is an opportunity to explain this in your application. If you submit without a score, the admissions committee reserves the right to request a test score after review of your application.

For Executive MBA applicants, we do not require a test but you may submit a valid test score if you have one. 

Please visit here for test requirements for our online MBA program.

Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive each year, we’re unable to provide feedback on each application.

We appreciate your interest in the Rice Executive MBA program. We recommend you share your resume or LinkedIn profile to us at ricemba@rice.edu. Once we receive your resume, we’ll provide feedback to help you figure out which MBA program is a good fit for you based on your experience and background. 

We also encourage you also to review our Find Your MBA page here to compare our different MBA programs. 

We are proud to waive the $200 application fee for:

• United States military personnel (active duty or veteran)
• Forté Foundation MBALaunch members
• Consortium applicants
• MD/MBA dual degree program applicants
• Rice University alumni
• Prospective students referred to us by alumni through the Build the Class program
• Prospective students who attend an admissions event