Rice University expands free tuition to families earning up to $200,000

Rice University in Houston announced an expansion of its Rice Investment financial‑aid program that will provide free tuition to students whose families earn between $100,000 and $200,000 per year, beginning with the fall 2027 cohort. Students from families earning less than $100,000 will continue to receive full coverage of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and the university will meet 100 % of demonstrated financial need without requiring loans.

The university said the change is made possible by sustained philanthropic support. President Reginald DesRoches called the move “a defining moment for Rice University and for the future of higher education,” while Vice President for Enrollment Yvonne Romero noted that the new income thresholds simplify aid eligibility for middle‑ and upper‑middle‑income families. Tuition for undergraduates is listed at $65,280 for upper‑class students and $71,140 for first‑ through third‑year students, with room and board at $20,530 and mandatory fees at $984.