All Rice University majors by area
- Science & Math · 14
- Humanities & Languages · 13
- Engineering · 11
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 6
- Business & Finance · 4
- Arts & Design · 3
- Health & Medicine · 2
- Technology & Computing · 2
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Science | $47,459 | $66,913 | $13,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry | — | — | $7,500 |
| Biology | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | — | — |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | — | — | — |
| Environmental Science / Conservation | — | — | — |
| Geology / Earth Science | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | $50,286 | — | — |
| Neuroscience | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Physiology | — | — | — |
| Statistics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | — | — | — |
| Classics | — | — | — |
| English | — | — | — |
| Ethnic / Gender Studies | — | — | — |
| German | — | — | — |
| History | — | — | — |
| Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | — | — | — |
| Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | — | — | — |
| Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $96,751 | $136,656 | — |
| Biomedical Engineering | $88,307 | $121,099 | — |
| Chemical Engineering | $87,830 | $113,605 | $13,178 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,899 | $108,970 | $15,375 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | — | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | — | — | — |
| Architecture | — | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | — | — | — |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | — | — | — |
| Nanotechnology | — | — | — |
| Operations Research | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $78,814 | $129,575 | $11,289 |
| Business | — | — | — |
| Business Administration | — | — | — |
| Management Science / Analytics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music | — | — | — |
| Studio Art | — | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | $51,110 | $87,404 | $10,000 |
| Health Sciences | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $131,154 | $182,443 | $12,381 |
| Data Analytics | — | — | — |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Computer and Information Sciences → Software developer
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Chemical Engineering → Chemical engineer
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former Rice University students earn a median $89,718 ten years after starting college, more than 97% of Texas colleges we cover. 95% graduate within six years.
Rice University majors questions
How many majors does Rice University offer?
Rice University offers 55 bachelor's majors across 8 areas; the most majors are in Science & Math and Humanities & Languages.
What is the highest-paying major at Rice University?
Computer and Information Sciences graduates from Rice University earn a median $182,443 four years after graduating, the highest of the 9 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $12,381.
Which Rice University majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Cognitive Science graduates earn the least: a median $66,913 four years after graduating.
Is Rice University the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing Rice University with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to Rice University overview