Many of Rice's graduate programs are ranked among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's most recent “Best Graduate Schools” rankings.
The George R. Brown College of Engineering is ranked 26th nationally, up four spots from last year. Eight engineering fields rank in the top 30, five in the top 25, and two in the top 10: Biomedical/Bioengineering (10th), Environmental Engineering (up from 12th to 9th), Computer Engineering (up from 26th to 22nd), Civil Engineering (23rd), Chemical Engineering (24th), Electrical Engineering (26th), Materials Engineering (26th), and Mechanical Engineering (27th).
The Jesse H. Jones School of Management, ranked 29th nationally, has two programs in the top 15. Its entrepreneurship program rose two spots to No. 8 and its Professional MBA program, ranked by U.S. News in the part-time MBA category, rose to No. 15.
“These rankings are a testament to the hard work and talent of our incredible faculty, staff and students in our graduate programs,” said Rice University President Reginald Desroches. “I look forward to watching these programs continue to excel as they produce impactful research and scholarship in the years to come.”
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are among the most closely watched annual surveys of the nation's higher education institutions. Each year, the publication ranks programs in the schools of business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing, including areas of specialization within each field.
“This ranking reflects our continued pursuit of excellence across the board,” said Amy Dittmer, Howard Hughes University provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “These advancements would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our faculty, deans, department chairs, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Seiichi Matsuda and his team.”
“Rice's research productivity reflects the scholarship, creativity and dedication of our extraordinarily talented graduate students,” Matsuda said. “As the university strengthens and expands its high-quality graduate programs, we provide even more opportunities for bright, motivated students to reach their full potential and, in doing so, make a positive impact on their communities, their nation and the world.”
The Computer Science department rose four spots from last year to tie for 27th place and earned top 25 rankings in two specializations: tied for 19th in Programming Languages and tied for 21st in Systems (up from 23rd).
The U.S. News Best Graduate Schools rankings are based on expert opinion and statistical indicators that measure the quality of faculty, research and students. The publication compiles data from program surveys and reputation surveys sent to scholars and professionals from fall 2023 through early 2024.
For more information on Rice University's rankings, click here.
