Rice University continues its upward trajectory in national and international rankings, earning the No. 17 spot in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released today. The university also ranked among the top 10 nationally for Best Value Schools (No. 5) and Undergraduate Teaching (No. 8), reflecting Rice’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, affordability and a personalized education.
This year’s rankings evaluated nearly 1,700 colleges and universities using 17 indicators of academic quality and student success. Rice was named the 15th most innovative school in the nation, up from No. 29 last year, and was also recognized for its dedication to undergraduate research and student engagement, ranking No. 15 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects and No. 17 in Learning Communities. The university continued its rise in the social mobility category, climbing another 20 places to No. 98. Over the past two years, it has moved up a total of 86 spots in that category.
“These rankings reflect the strength of our mission and the incredible work of our faculty, staff and students,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “I am particularly proud of our efforts to expand accessibility by increasing our student body by 30%, while remaining committed to a high quality, personalized education. These achievements underscore our broader goal of advancing knowledge and serving society in meaningful ways.”
The U.S. News recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Rice. The university is ranked No. 10 on Niche’s 2026 Best Colleges in America list and No. 12 on Forbes’ annual list of America’s Top Colleges. Internationally, Rice moved up 22 places to No. 119 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings and now ranks No. 29 among U.S. universities. The Princeton Review also placed Rice in the top 10 nationally in four categories for 2026: Best College Newspaper, Great Financial Aid, Best College Dorms and Best Quality of Life.
Rice’s continued excellence in undergraduate teaching is supported by a wave of new faculty hiring. In the past year, the university added 51 new tenured and tenure-track faculty members, along with 40 nontenure-track instructors. Over the past three years, the university has hired more than 250 faculty members, a leading trajectory among its top peers.
“Rice delivers a student experience that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply personal,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “From immersive classroom learning to collaborative research and global experiences, every Rice student graduates prepared to make a difference. These rankings are a testament to that commitment.”
Engineering, business programs continue to climb
The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranked No. 21 nationally among undergraduate engineering programs, with several disciplines earning top rankings:
- Biomedical engineering: No. 9
- Environmental/environmental health engineering: No. 16
- Chemical engineering: No. 21
- Electrical engineering: No. 24
- Mechanical engineering: No. 26
- Computer science: No. 29
“Our faculty and students are pushing boundaries in engineering education and research,” said Luay Nakhleh, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering and Computing. “To see so many of our programs nationally ranked speaks volumes about the innovation, rigor and impact happening every day at Rice.”
Rice’s business programs also earned national recognition. The undergraduate business major, launched in 2021, was ranked No. 24. The entrepreneurship program rose this year to reach No. 12 — a jump of 19 places over the past two years. Additional program rankings include:
- Finance: No. 29
- Economics: No. 39
“As the business world evolves at a rapid pace, we’re preparing students to lead in a new era,” said Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business. “With a curriculum rooted in innovation and practical experience, Rice students are uniquely equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s economy and shape the future of global business.”
Rice’s undergraduate psychology program was also recognized, coming in at No. 43 nationwide.
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings are published annually to provide students and families with comparative data about undergraduate programs across the country. The rankings incorporate a variety of metrics, including graduation rates, faculty resources, financial aid, student debt and postgraduate outcomes. For full rankings and methodology, visit https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges.