Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

MBA Program Stats

Academics And Programs

Rice Business is home to both graduate (Jones) and undergraduate (Virani) schools of business, offering a world-class education at Rice University.​​ Over the last five years, the school has doubled in size, expanding in faculty, student body, curriculum offerings ​and job placements. Rice Business’ renowned programs empower you to excel in an ever-changing business world. And the research-based curriculum, innovation and purpose equip you to become the leader you’re meant to be. 

All of Rice’s MBA ​programs ​​have a rigorous, STEM-certified curriculum and are nimble enough to adapt to market needs and student interests. ​At Rice ​Business​,​ school is more than in-class academics; among a sea of electives, students find many experiential offerings interwoven with entrepreneurial thinking. Classroom case studies also allow students to creatively collaborate​, enhance their knowledge and skills​,​ and deepen their understanding of the business world. 

Students hone their strategic problem-solving with experiences like the Global Field Experience, built into the core curriculum. As part of the school’s philosophy of adopting a global perspective, students travel abroad with their cohort, take what they learn in the first year of the program, and apply it to short-term projects for organizations and communities in diverse cultural settings, designed to change their perception of the world and how to do business. Besides Harvard Business School and a few others, Rice Business is the only top B-school that requires every student to go abroad during their two years in the MBA program. 

Rankings Data For Rice Business

Why Students Chose

“I did investment banking recruiting my first semester. The Finance Association at Rice Business did a fantastic job training, prepping and mentoring me to get a banking job. When I started as an intern at the bank, I went to New York for a week. We were training with all these people from different schools, going to different groups in the bank. We were doing some practice problems, and I was like, ‘Wow, we’re actually far ahead of a lot of these other schools and people.’ Rice invests a lot into its students. At other schools, you’d just be a statistic.” Chris Stillwell ’24 

“After starting my own physical therapy clinic, I quickly realized I was underprepared to run the business side of my practice. Rice Business is highly-ranked in entrepreneurial studies for a reason – every class is designed with unique insights into how information is best harnessed to draw conclusions and make successful operating and strategic decisions. And Rice Business doesn’t wait to get started either – there is a strategy class embedded in the Launch Program curriculum that frames your progress through the start of the semester and gives you direct insight into implementing a proper business strategy.” Ryan Flick (’24). 

Career Stats

Rice Business MBA Graduate Employment

Industry Choices of Rice Business MBAs

From Rice Business

Rice Business (the business school at Rice University in Houston, Texas) is home to the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business. We have solidified our position as one of the top business schools in the U.S. , doubling in enrollment over the past five years. Internationally recognized for our strength in entrepreneurship, we offer over 35 entrepreneurship-specific courses and labs, and host the world’s largest and richest graduate student startup competition, maintaining a seven-year streak as the #1 ranked school for graduate entrepreneurship (Princeton Review). 

To meet the needs of our expanding undergraduate and graduate programs, we are building a cutting-edge facility, set to open in 2026 . During our 50th anniversary year, we celebrated significant achievements, including record-breaking enrollments, the launch of innovative interdisciplinary initiatives and the strengthening of our global alumni network. As we look to the future, we remain committed to shaping the next generation of business leaders .

Our graduate degree programs include the Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA, Hybrid MBA, Executive MBA and Online MBA, as well as an MD/MBA with Baylor College of Medicine. The Ph.D. in business attracts candidates aspiring to become faculty in prestigious research universities internationally. Our one-year MAcc program is designed for students with varied undergraduate academic backgrounds and is committed to producing accounting professionals with critical thinking skills and integrity.

Rice Business Executive Education offers seasoned professionals an array of non-degree continued learning options, including open enrollment executive courses, customized leadership development programs, specialized online programs and year round events that help professionals, executives and organizations pursue sustained growth and success.

We also offer a credit-bearing Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management. Certificate recipients can apply a majority of the credits to any on-campus Rice MBA program.

In addition to our graduate degrees, we offer several undergraduate programs. Our undergraduate business major provides students with a robust foundation in leadership and business fundamentals, offers concentrations in finance, management and marketing, and is taught by the same top-notch faculty who teach our MBA programs. The undergraduate business minor, the largest minor at Rice University, is open to any degree-seeking Rice undergraduate student and the entrepreneurship minor, a joint offering with the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, offers undergraduates experiential and innovative learning opportunities. 

READ MORE FROM RICE BUSINESS:

• “One of a Kind”
• “To Women Furthering Their Career”
• “Meet The Teach”
• “Why Houston”
• “Strong Lead”

Essay Questions For Rice Business

MBA Admissions Essay Questions:

Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA, and Hybrid MBA

Required Short Answer Responses: (100-word limit, each)
Rice Business seeks to have a clear understanding of your career goals upon the completion of your MBA experience.

Response #1: “In 100 words or less, please share your short-term career goals.”
Response #2: “In 100 words or less, please share your long-term career goals.”

Required Creative Essay:
While we know a picture is worth 1000 words, in 500 words or less tell us the story of a photo of your choosing that has significant value in your life experiences. Please feel free to share your photo!

You can complete this essay via a traditional written response (500-word limit) or via a video response (one- to three-minute time limit).

Executive MBA

Required Essay: (750-word limit)
“As you evaluate where you are today, how have your educational, professional and personal endeavors brought you to this point? In addition, please explain how the Rice EMBA is part of your plan for the future.”

Optional Essay: (500-word limit)
If you have any additional information for the admissions committee, or if you wish to clarify any aspect of your application (including breaks in employment, your choice of recommendation providers, your past academic performance, etc.), you may submit an additional, optional essay.