In the Media

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship has announced the 42 student-led teams that will compete in the 26th annual Rice Business Plan Competition this spring.

“As a result, Fortune’s methodology doesn’t account for the true price tag of an MBA education. That’s particularly noticeable at generous programs like Rice University’s Jones Graduate School, where 95% of students receive support…with the average annual award being $40,000 per year according to the school.”

"And when the FT asked alums which program allowed them to achieve their aims, the top school was Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, with 93% of the respondents acknowledging their goals were successful"

Rice Business professor Alessandro Piazza explains why companies are largely silent as immigration enforcement reaches workplaces, showing how political and economic risks now discourage corporate activism.

Two Rice University faculty members have been recognized with national awards from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), highlighting the university’s impact on research that shapes understanding of work, well-being and organizational life.

Rising credit card debt has renewed debate over a proposed interest rate cap. Rice Business finance professor Benedict Guttman-Kenney warns banks may cut credit access or raise fees, questioning whether consumers would truly benefit.

Congratulations to Robert J. Gaudette on being named President of NRG Energy, and on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, 2026. Rob is a distinguished Rice Business alum and continues to give back to the school through the Board of Advisors and joined us this year as a speaker at the Rice Energy Finance Summit.

New research co-authored by Jing Zhou finds that generative AI can enhance employee creativity—but mainly for those with strong metacognition. Employees who actively plan, monitor and refine their thinking benefit most from AI, highlighting the need to pair AI tools with training that develops these skills.

Rice University ranks first in Texas for 10-year return on investment, with alumni seeing roughly $334,000 in gains. Its strong earnings outcomes keep Rice at the top of both short and long-term ROI comparisons statewide.

Rice Business professor Mijeong Kwon finds that viewing passion for work as a moral virtue can harm employees and teams, leading to guilt, burnout and biased treatment of colleagues who are seen as less passionate.

Rice Business professor Mijeong Kwon argues that moralizing a love of work can undermine workplace well-being. Her research shows that treating intrinsic motivation as a virtue fuels guilt, burnout and biased judgments that disrupt team dynamics.

Rice Business Executive Education strengthens retention by giving leaders practical training in strategy, innovation and digital transformation. Expert faculty offer programs that build capability, support advancement and create real organizational impact.

A panel featuring Rice University provost Amy Dittmar highlighted how universities must actively engage with AI. 

Rice Business climbs to No. 7 in the 2026 MBA entrepreneurship ranking, rising five spots and standing out for strong support, resources and outcomes for startup minded MBAs.

Which universities and colleges are best at teaching entrepreneurship? The Princeton Review offers insights with a 40-point survey.

Kate Shepherd’s only permanent wall painting, inspired by the rotunda in McNair Hall, will be highlighted during the Art in Context symposium at Rice University, offering a rare look at her work beyond its usual temporary form.

The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine published the 20th annual rankings of undergraduate and graduate schools for entrepreneurship studies on Nov. 12, with Rice Business continuing in the number one spot in graduate entrepreneurship education.

U.S. News ranks Rice Business among the top 20 MBA programs for high-paying finance and accounting careers, with 2024 graduates earning an average salary of $155,407.

Rice Business will host the Rice Customer-Based Strategy Symposium on November 18, a recurring forum for sharing innovative ideas on customer-focused strategy and execution. The event features peer-reviewed research from top academics and industry insights from executives.

Get to know some new members of the Rice Business MBA Class of 2027 in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students from Clear Admit.

In less than a decade, Rodriguez has transformed Rice Business in nearly every dimension. Beyond creating a thriving undergraduate offering, he has overseen a 192% increase in student enrollment. The growth stems from a doubling of MBA students and the launch of an online MBA—the university’s first online degree—along with a hybrid MBA option. 

Rice University professor Mikki Hebl says job seekers’ willingness to accept lower pay and roles reflects a softer labor market and shifting values toward flexibility, balance, and meaningful work.

Rice Business rose to No. 24 in U.S. News’ 2026 undergraduate business rankings, up from No. 27 last year. The school now shares its spot with seven peers, reflecting strong momentum among top-tier programs.

New research co-authored by Rice Business lecturer Richard Schwartz finds that problem-solving daydreaming can trigger powerful career epiphanies and a stronger sense of professional purpose.

ChopnBlok owner and Rice MBA '14 Ope Amosu is partnering with Trill Burgers to host two fusion dining nights, blending West African flavors into comfort food. The collaboration celebrates ChopnBlok’s first year in Montrose and re-connects Amosu with Bun B, whom he first met years ago.

ChopnBlok owner and Rice MBA '14 Ope Amosu is partnering with Trill Burgers to host two fusion dining nights, blending West African flavors into comfort food. The collaboration celebrates ChopnBlok’s first year in Montrose and re-connects Amosu with Bun B, whom he first met years ago.

A study co-authored by Rice Business professor Marlon Mooijman on voter preferences in the U.S. and Europe helps explain why strong-arm leaders often get the minority vote.

Rice Business rose to No. 24 in U.S. News’ 2026 undergraduate business rankings, up from No. 27 last year. The school now shares its spot with seven peers, reflecting strong momentum among top-tier programs.

Rice Business ranked 28th globally and 15th in the U.S. in the 2026 QS Online MBA Ranking. The program continues to gain recognition among top schools worldwide, reinforcing its growing impact in online business education.

Businesses know customer satisfaction drives success, yet rates keep falling. Research co-authored by Rice Business professor Vikas Mittal shows that leaders often rely on guesswork without credible data to identify and rank what customers truly value.

Houston’s ChopnBlok, founded by Chef Ope Amosu '14, was named to The New York Times’ 2025 list of America’s 50 best restaurants. The Montrose spot earned praise for its vibrant West African dishes and was hailed as a standout dining destination.

At SXSW London, Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez emphasized Texas’ status as a global trade leader, citing its energy dominance, rapid growth, and diverse talent, while underscoring Rice’s role in driving innovation worldwide.

Opeyemi “Ope” Amosu ’14 grew ChòpnBlọk from pop-ups to a nationally acclaimed Houston restaurant, merging West African cuisine with business expertise and earning James Beard Award recognition.

New research from Rice Business Professor Jung Youn Lee finds that grocery purchasing data could predict credit risk as reliably as traditional credit scores — helping banks identify trustworthy borrowers and expand access to credit.

Hear from clean energy startups from nine countries and 19 states at the 22nd annual Energy Tech Venture Forum during Houston Energy & Climate Week, September 15-19.

In this episode of Work From The Inside Out, Rice Business professor and best-selling author Scott Sonnenschein shares his unconventional career journey and insights from his book Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined.

A study by Rice Business professors Jefferson Duarte and David Zhang found a small increase after the settlement went into effect in the share of buyers who chose not to use real-estate agents in certain states.

Flexibility has long been a selling point for entrepreneurship. But COVID-19 helped make flexible arrangements more of a norm. A new study co-authored by Rice Business professor Yael Hochberg shows how this shift in workplace norms changed who starts businesses.

Houston–based wellness-focused developer Define Living, founded by Rice MBA Henry Richardson, is launching a mid-rise, 388-unit apartment community—Define Living: Park Row—on a 10.4-acre site in the Energy Corridor’s Central Park master-planned development.

"All the professors at Rice Business are truly world-class. As a professor myself, who regularly teaches and speaks at conferences, I was often impressed by how captivating and effective they were in the classroom."

Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business MBA programs have been ranked among the top five in the country in The Princeton Review’s 2025 Best Business Schools rankings.

"You want to have a consistent story that’s woven throughout your application," says George Andrews, associate dean of degree programs. "In your essays, you’re talking about the things you’re good at or areas of opportunity for growth. That carries on through the interview and, ideally, your letters of recommendation."

"Since my career in the Army involved healthcare, I was drawn to Rice Business because of the number of classes focused on the healthcare industry. These classes give me the opportunity to align my Army experience with the business side of healthcare."

A study reveals that 13% of scientific articles show signs of AI, raising a debate about the integrity of research. Rice Business professor Kathleen Perley says that AI can play a decisive role in democratizing access to academic research, especially for non-English-speaking researchers or those suffering from learning disabilities. 

"Rice was the only school I seriously considered. As a Houstonian, I wanted to root myself locally while still learning from one of the best programs in the country. Rice’s reputation, combined with its values and community, made it the clear choice."

A recent study, co-authored by Rice Business professor Daan van Knippenberg, challenges a common assumption in team innovation research: members’ diverse knowledge backgrounds will facilitate innovative outcomes in teams.

Rice Business reveals how having a “promotion focus” can mean the difference between fostering innovation and letting it slip by.

"I chose the Online MBA because I needed the flexibility. I have a mortgage to pay and couldn’t afford to step away from work. Rice Business’ program gave me access to a top-tier education while allowing me to grow my career and remain financially independent."