Rice University has secured four top-10 placements in The Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, highlighting the institution’s strong reputation for student experience and support.
The university ranked among the top 10 in Best College Newspaper, Great Financial Aid, Best College Dorms, and Best Quality of Life. These rankings are based on surveys from more than 170,000 students at nearly 400 colleges nationwide, reflecting direct feedback on academics, campus resources, and student life.
Beyond its top-10 performance, Rice also earned seven additional top-25 placements. These include recognition for Best Value Colleges (private) at No. 14, Lots of Race/Class Interaction at No. 14, Best College Radio Station at No. 17, Best Value Colleges Without Aid (private) at No. 18, Best Science Lab Facilities at No. 19, Best Run Colleges at No. 23, and Students Study the Most at No. 25.
Rice President Reginald DesRoches said the results reflect the unique student culture and academic standards that define the university. “Our rankings speak directly to the incredible student experience at Rice—one that combines academic rigor, a collaborative culture, and unmatched support,” he said.
The Princeton Review publishes its Best Colleges Rankings annually, offering a data-driven perspective on higher education institutions across the United States. Rice’s strong performance underscores its reputation as one of the country’s leading private research universities, balancing academic excellence with student well-being and inclusivity.
