Rice is a private, independent, and co-educational institution, dedicated to the advancement of letters, science and art. The university includes undergraduate and graduate programs in seven academic units including the School of Architecture, the George R. Brown School of Engineering, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, the Jesse Jones School of Administration, the School of Humanities, the Shepherd School of Music, and the School of Social Sciences.

The Rice campus is a 300 acre grassy lawn, canopied by live oaks. It accommodates some fifty buildings and the largest stadium in Houston. The Shepherd School of music provides over 200 concerts each year, most of them at no cost. The university's facilities for recreational athletics rival those at any school. The university's Fondren Library houses a large collection of books, manuscripts, recordings, and other materials. An open stacks policy allows easy access to its collection.