Join a community of leaders and innovators at Rice Business, one of the nation’s best business schools located in the heart of Houston. We offer a top-ranked, 22-month Full-Time Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a rigorous, personalized curriculum and a close-knit cohort.
Built for those ready to invest 22 months into a career-defining transformation, the program pairs academic rigor with real-world application. You’ll gain access to Houston’s dynamic employer network, faculty who know your name and career support that helps translate your goals into real outcomes.
Duration: 22 months to complete (54 credits)
Format: 100% on campus with classes Monday through Thursday
Class Profile: 5-7 years of work experience on average
Admissions: 3-4 application rounds with rolling decisions
Funding: Significant scholarship support, with 96% of students receiving funding and an average award of $40K per year
The STEM-designated curriculum of the Full-Time MBA includes a rigorous core and global experience in the first year and customizable elective options in the second year, allowing you to meet your specific goals. You’ll master foundational disciplines — finance, accounting, strategy, marketing, operations, data analysis — then go deep through experiential consulting projects and pathways spanning entrepreneurship, analytics, finance, energy and more.
Plan to leverage on-campus recruiting, club leadership and the summer internship for skill application and career exploration. The immersive format rewards proactive networking and hands-on practice.
Customize Your MBA With Specializations
Align your Full-Time MBA with your career goals by choosing a specialization. Each offers a robust set of elective courses designed to deepen your expertise, expand industry knowledge and build credibility in your chosen area. Areas include:
Whether you choose full-time or part-time, you’ll benefit from Rice’s distinguished reputation, expert faculty and a career-boosting curriculum. The Full-Time MBA offers a deep dive into learning with a fully immersive experience, including summer internships that let you explore new industries and career paths. For working professionals, our part-time programs offer the flexibility to build new skills and advance your career while staying in your current role.
Full-Time MBA Admissions
The Rice Business admissions process is clear, supportive and responsive from your first conversation. Most Full-Time MBA students bring 5-7 years of experience. Review our Full-Time MBA application requirements and checklist to see how we’ll support you every step of the way.
Requirements include:
Bachelor’s degree
Professional work experience
At least one professional letter of recommendation GMAT, GRE or EA score (or sufficient reasoning for a test waiver)
Resume or CV Transcripts from previously attended institutions
Two short answers and one long answer essay component
Rice Business is a collaborative, close-knit community where you’ll be known, supported and challenged. In the Full-Time MBA program, smaller classes foster meaningful engagement with faculty and peers, while affinity groups — like women in business, veterans and international student communities — create spaces for connection and leadership. All of this takes place in Houston, one of the nation’s most opportunity-rich cities and home to the second-highest number of Fortune 500 companies.
Our #1-ranked graduate entrepreneurship program equips you to spot opportunities, test ideas and lead innovation — whether you launch a company, acquire a company or drive change in established firms. We cultivate a mindset of disciplined experimentation that serves as a universal tool for high-impact problem solving. Through the world’s richest graduate student startup competition and a supportive ecosystem, you will develop the resilience and resolve that define principled thought leaders.
Grounded in a rigorous curriculum with deep expertise in finance and more, our Full‑Time MBA emphasizes experiential learning through consulting projects, leadership roles, global programs and internships. These hands‑on experiences — and the networking and leadership opportunities that come with them — lead to real outcomes, with more than 70% of students securing job offers through school‑facilitated activities.
Career Outcomes
The career impact of the Rice Full‑Time MBA is unmistakable. Supported by a close‑knit community and engaged alumni network, students earn job offers through internships and recruiting pipelines into consulting, investment banking and top employers including Amazon, Dell, Citi, Barclays, Capital One and Deloitte — advancing both career trajectory and compensation.
Lifelong career coaching, mentorship for key moments and alumni leadership opportunities follow you long after you graduate with your Rice MBA. As an alum, you’ll connect with the Rice community through regional and industry groups wherever you are, keeping your network active and growing.
Investing in a Rice MBA is a journey toward a high-impact future, where our graduates see a powerful return on investment with an average starting salary of $146,381. To lower barriers to a top-ranked MBA program, Rice Business offers scholarships to 96% of students in the Full-Time MBA, helping you invest wisely in your business education. The average award is $40,000 annually. Learn more about MBA tuition and scholarships in our helpful resources.
Head of Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative and Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Ralph S. O’Connor Professor in Entrepreneurship – Finance
Choosing the right MBA program is a big deal. To assist you on your journey, we've gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Rice Business Full-Time MBA program.
Classes at Rice Business vary in size, but have 40 students on average. We are proud of our 6-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Learn more about our faculty here.
Application deadlines typically fall in October, January and April. For the most accurate dates, check out our admissions guide.
Rice Business provides a comprehensive curriculum, personalized career coaching and global experience opportunities, all designed to support smooth and successful career transitions. Explore our Career Highlights page to discover the impressive outcomes of our graduates. Plus, check out our Career Support page to see how we help you throughout your Full-Time MBA journey and beyond.
We want to help you invest in your future. Rice Business offers merit-based scholarships, loans and external scholarships. With scholarships awarded to 96% of Full-Time students, the actual cost of a Rice MBA can be significantly lower, making it one of the most affordable top-ranked programs in the country. The resources below offer valuable perspectives on how your investment will pay off for years to come.
At Rice Business, we believe the MBA offers one of the best ROI opportunities, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
The Global Field Experience, embedded in the core curriculum, includes consulting projects abroad, offering practical international business exposure that enhances global perspectives. Plus, you can go further with offsite electives and study abroad opportunities. With a Rice MBA, you will gain international experience and learn to lead globally. Learn more about our global programming for MBA students here.
All of our programs have the same reputation, top-notch faculty, curriculum and experience Rice is known for, and will help you advance your career. Our Full-Time MBA offers a fully immersive experience and the opportunity for internships over the summer, which allows students to explore different job functions and industries. Our part-time programs are for students committed to improving their abilities and advancing their careers without leaving their jobs.
The Full-Time MBA program is two years, typical of a full-time MBA program. With immersive in-person learning for 22 months, students in the Full-Time MBA at Rice gain and refine practical skills and in-depth strategic thinking. Learn more about the curriculum and schedule here.
Rice MBA graduates see impressive career results: an average base salary of $146,381 and an average signing bonus of $32,000. Salaries vary based on industry and functional role: Graduates in consulting boast an average salary of $172,734, and finance/accounting functional roles is $151,476. Learn more about our career outcomes here.
Are MBAs good for changing careers? Learn what to look for in an MBA program, including comparing program ROI for career changers pivoting to new industries.
At Rice Business, career development is a community endeavor. Here’s how our Alumni in Residence program is helping our MBA students on their career journey.
Learn how to compare the best MBA programs for finance. Explore key factors like curriculum, recruiting and the strategic advantage of hubs like Houston.
Anchored in Houston’s global economy, Rice Business’s Full-Time MBA degree program delivers a STEM-certified experience with a close cohort of business professionals who turn into a lifelong network. Reach out today to get started.
