Full-Time MBA Frequently Asked Questions

Rice Business offers merit-based scholarships, loans and external scholarships. With scholarships awarded to 96% of Full-Time students, the actual cost of a Rice MBA can be significantly lower, making it one of the most affordable top-ranked programs in the country. 

Tuition for the Rice Full-Time MBA is $137,700 total over the 22-month program. This cost includes tuition and select on-campus residency expenses, such as hotel accommodations during immersion weekends. Additional fees and expenses apply — like textbooks, parking and optional health insurance. Here is the detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees.

An MBA degree from Rice is more than a credential — it’s an investment in yourself with a proven return. The Rice Full-Time MBA delivers the flexibility you need, backed by the prestige and ROI of a top-ranked business school.



 

To apply to the Rice Full-Time MBA, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, professional work experience and materials like a resume, essays and recommendations. We accept the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment — and offer test waivers for eligible applicants.

Our admissions process is designed to get to know the full you — not just your test scores. We’re looking for curious, driven professionals ready to grow.

View our full admissions guide.

Classes at Rice Business vary in size, but have 40 students on average. We are proud of our 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Learn more about our faculty here. 

We want to help you invest in your future. Rice Business offers merit-based scholarships, loans and external scholarships. With scholarships awarded to 96% of Full-Time students, the actual cost of a Rice MBA can be significantly lower, making it one of the most affordable top-ranked programs in the country. The resources below offer valuable perspectives on how your investment will pay off for years to come. 

• Detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for the Rice Full-Time MBA.
• List of various scholarship and financial aid options for our MBA programs.
• Blog posts about the ROI of an MBA and the long-term value of your MBA. 

At Rice Business, we believe the MBA offers one of the best ROI opportunities, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.

The Global Field Experience, embedded in the core curriculum, includes consulting projects abroad, offering practical international business exposure that enhances global perspectives​. Plus, you can go further with offsite electives and study abroad opportunities. With a Rice MBA, you will gain international experience and learn to lead globally. Learn more about our global programming for MBA students here.

While we don’t publish an official acceptance rate for the Full-Time MBA program, what’s most important to know is that we take a holistic approach to admissions. We consider each applicant’s unique combination of professional experience, academic background, leadership potential and personal story.

If you’re driven, curious and ready to take the next step in your career, you belong here. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply — you don’t need to be perfect on paper to make a powerful impact in the program and beyond.

Start your application or connect with our admissions team.

The Rice Full-Time MBA is ideal for professionals who want to fully immerse themselves in the MBA experience to help accelerate or pivot their careers. This program may be the right fit if you: 

• Are able to step away from your job for two years to focus fully on your MBA.
• Want to maximize involvement in student clubs, conferences and experiential learning.
• Plan to take advantage of a summer internship and on-campus recruiting.
• Have around 5–7 years of professional work experience (to best align with peers).

The Rice MBA sees strong career outcomes and return on investment across all formats, including the Full-Time MBA. No matter which program you choose, our goal is to help you advance your career and increase your long-term earning potential. 

If you’re unsure which MBA format best fits your goals, we encourage you to take our Find Your MBA quiz to explore the right Rice Business program for you.

A full-time MBA offers an immersive, high-impact experience designed to accelerate career growth. Benefits of a traditional full-time MBA program can include:

• Dedicated time to focus on academic and professional development.
• Access to internships, on-campus recruiting and employer partnerships.
• Opportunities to pivot careers or dive deeper into chosen field.
• Leadership development through clubs, conferences and experiential learning.
• Strong return on investment through career placement, salary growth and long-term advancement.

Why choose the Rice Full-Time MBA?

The Rice Full-Time MBA delivers all of these benefits within a top-ranked program that’s known for its academic rigor and strong reputation — all in a tight-knit community that values collaboration over competition.

Recognized for top entrepreneurship, energy and finance offerings, the Rice MBA allows students to learn alongside Houston’s industry leaders in one of the nation’s most dynamic business ecosystems. With strong career outcomes and personalized support, the Rice Full-Time MBA offers a high return on investment.

Learn more about what sets Rice Business apart and explore how our Full-Time MBA program can support your career goals.

When choosing between a full-time MBA and a part-time MBA, the real question isn’t which one is better — it’s which one is the best fit for you. At Rice Business, both programs deliver the same top-ranked MBA degree and are taught by the same award-winning faculty, with a rigorous, collaborative curriculum.

The Full-Time MBA is a great option if you’re ready to fully immerse yourself in the MBA experience. Many students choose this path to accelerate their careers, explore industries or make a pivot while still focusing full-time on academics, recruiting and networking.

A part-time MBA, like our Professional MBA, Hybrid MBA or Online MBA, is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without stepping away from the workforce. These formats offer a flexible balance between work, life and school.

Still deciding which MBA is right? Take our MBA Fit Quiz to find the program that best aligns with where you are — and where you want to go.

When comparing a Full-Time MBA to an Executive MBA, the real question is: Which program best fits your career stage, experience and goals?

Both programs lead to the same top-ranked Rice Business MBA degree and are taught by the same renowned faculty, but the difference lies in who the program is designed for.

The Full-Time MBA is ideal for early- to mid-career professionals looking to build strong business fundamentals, explore career transitions or accelerate their professional growth through immersive, full-time study.

The Executive MBA is designed for experienced professionals and senior leaders. In addition to core coursework, the EMBA highlights advanced leadership development and executive-focused curriculum, emphasizing strategic decision-making, organizational leadership and leading through complexity — allowing students to apply new strategy and leadership skills the next day.

There’s no one-size-fits-all MBA. The right choice depends on your background, leadership experience, and where you are in your journey. 

Not sure which Rice Business MBA program is right for you? Find your best match here.

The Rice Business Full-Time MBA curriculum begins with a strong core in essential business areas, including finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, data analytics, leadership, operations and business ethics.

As you progress, you’ll choose from a wide range of elective courses that allow you to tailor your MBA to your career goals — such as entrepreneurship, consulting, energy, healthcare, technology or finance. Courses are designed to reflect today’s business challenges and are taught by expert faculty who bring real-world insight into the classroom.

For a full list of courses and degree requirements, explore the Full-Time MBA curriculum page.

Absolutely. The Rice Business Full-Time MBA combines a strong core curriculum — covering the business fundamentals employers expect from a top-ranked MBA program — with extensive flexibility through a wide array of electives.

After completing the core, you can customize your degree and dive deep into your choice of more than 100 elective courses — allowing you to specialize your MBA around your career goals, whether by industry, function or skill set.

Explore our electives to see how you can tailor the Full-Time MBA to fit your goals.