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Rice University: Fondren Library, Rice University
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College · Catholic life on campus

Rice University

  • LocationHouston, TX
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 8,556 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Rice University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Rice University's Catholic campus ministry is the Rice Catholic Student Center at 1703 Bolsover Street, which serves Rice students and is staffed by Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ, director and chaplain. The Mass and Confession page lists Mass Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM and on Sundays at 10 AM, 12 PM, and 5:30 PM, with confession on weekdays and Sunday and Wednesday adoration. Listed student activities include the Catholic Students Association, small groups, retreats, service, and information on becoming Catholic.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

  • Monday–Friday5:30 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Liturgy schedule as of August 30, 2026.
  • Sunday10:00 AMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Livestreamed.
  • Sunday12:00 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · No music.
  • Sunday5:30 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Student Mass.

Confession 4

  • Sunday9:15 AMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Until 9:45 AM.
  • Sunday4:30 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Until 5:15 PM.
  • Monday–Friday5:00 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Until 5:20 PM.
  • Wednesday7:30 PMRice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page) · Until 9:00 PM, during adoration.

Adoration 1

  • Wednesday7:30 PMChapel (per the prayer and liturgy page) · Until 9:00 PM.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (2)
  1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Monday – Friday @ 5:30 PM”
    Daily Mass is listed Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM.
    “Sunday 10 AM (Livestreamed) 12 PM (No music) 5:30 PM Student Mass (Sunday Supper open to all students after Mass)”
    Three Sunday Masses are listed (10 AM, 12 PM, 5:30 PM), and Sunday Supper follows the 5:30 PM Student Mass.
    “Sunday 10 AM (Livestreamed) 12 PM (No music) 5:30 PM Student Mass (Sunday Supper open to all students after Mass)”
    Three Sunday Masses are listed (10 AM, 12 PM, 5:30 PM), and Sunday Supper follows the 5:30 PM Student Mass.
    “Sunday 10 AM (Livestreamed) 12 PM (No music) 5:30 PM Student Mass (Sunday Supper open to all students after Mass)”
    Three Sunday Masses are listed (10 AM, 12 PM, 5:30 PM), and Sunday Supper follows the 5:30 PM Student Mass.
    “Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM, 4:30 – 5:15 PM Monday – Friday: 5:00 – 5:20 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sundays and on weekdays.
    “Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM, 4:30 – 5:15 PM Monday – Friday: 5:00 – 5:20 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sundays and on weekdays.
    “Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM, 4:30 – 5:15 PM Monday – Friday: 5:00 – 5:20 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sundays and on weekdays.
    “Wednesday: 7:30 – 9 PM (During Adoration)”
    Eucharistic adoration is listed Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 PM.
  2. Prayer and Liturgy | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/prayer-and-liturgy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Wednesday 7:30 – 9 PM in the Chapel”
    Eucharistic adoration is held Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 PM in the chapel.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Rice University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miChapel of St. Basil: 1.5 mi1Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church: 1.8 mi2Saint Anne Catholic Church: 1.8 mi3Holy Rosary Church: 2.0 mi4St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church: 2.0 mi5Saint Marys Catholic Church: 2.0 mi6Rice Catholic Student Center: 0.3 miRice University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Chapel of St. Basil — 1.5 mi
  2. Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — 1.8 mi
  3. Saint Anne Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 2140 Westheimer Road, Houston
  4. Holy Rosary Church — 2.0 mi · 3617 Milam Street, Houston
  5. St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church — 2.0 mi
  6. Saint Marys Catholic Church — 2.0 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

ACatholic life on campus: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

94 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. Rice Catholic Student Center – Your Home Away from Homecatholics.rice.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Serving the students, faculty, and greater community of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.”
      The Rice Catholic Student Center serves students of Rice University.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Rice Catholic Student Center at 1703 Bolsover St. is about 0.3 mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Rice Catholic Student Center – Your Home Away from Homecatholics.rice.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Serving the students, faculty, and greater community of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.”
      The Rice Catholic Student Center serves students of Rice University.
    2. Contact Us | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1703 Bolsover Street, Houston, TX 77005”
      The center's office and mailing address is 1703 Bolsover Street, Houston, TX 77005.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (A named Jesuit priest is presented as director and chaplain of the center.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ // Director and Chaplain”
      Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ is director and chaplain of the Rice Catholic Student Center.
      “He was missioned to the Rice Catholic Student Center and St. Mary’s Chapel community in July 2024.”
      Fr. Tucker Redding, a Jesuit priest, was assigned to the center in 2024.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass listed Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM on the center's Mass and Confession page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday – Friday @ 5:30 PM”
      Daily Mass is listed Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Three Sunday Masses are listed for the academic year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 10 AM (Livestreamed) 12 PM (No music) 5:30 PM Student Mass (Sunday Supper open to all students after Mass)”
      Three Sunday Masses are listed (10 AM, 12 PM, 5:30 PM), and Sunday Supper follows the 5:30 PM Student Mass.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession times are listed on Sundays and on weekdays.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM, 4:30 – 5:15 PM Monday – Friday: 5:00 – 5:20 PM”
      Confession is scheduled on Sundays and on weekdays.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (The Catholic Students Association and its student groups, including the Freshman Fellowship and the Interior Life Group, are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. CSA Student Leadership | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/csa-student-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Meet the student leadership team of the Catholic Students Association at Rice University.”
      The Catholic Students Association at Rice University has a student leadership team, and its listing includes the Interior Life Group and the Freshman Fellowship.
    2. Small Groups | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Just getting started at Rice? Build a community of support and faith with other freshmen.”
      A Freshman Fellowship small group is offered for new students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats, service, information on becoming Catholic, and small groups are listed.)
    Sources (4)
    1. Retreats | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each semester, we organize retreats that provide opportunities for personal prayer, reception of the Sacraments, informative talks, and fellowship.”
      The center organizes retreats each semester, including weekend, silent, busy-student, and one-day retreats.
    2. Get Involved | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/ministry-and-outreach · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Love your neighbor as yourself. Show the love of God through acts of service.”
      The center has a service ministry for students.
    3. Sacraments and Catechesis | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/sacrament · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “For information on OCIA (Becoming Catholic), Adult Confirmation, or Marriage Preparation (for Rice Students, Faculty, Alumni), please email us at ricecatholics@archgh.org.”
      The center offers information on OCIA, adult confirmation, and marriage preparation for Rice students, faculty, and alumni.
    4. Small Groups | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Just getting started at Rice? Build a community of support and faith with other freshmen.”
      A Freshman Fellowship small group is offered for new students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (17 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 8 confession, 1 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Mass is listed on every weekday at the center and three times on Sundays.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday – Friday @ 5:30 PM”
      Daily Mass is listed Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM.
      “Sunday 10 AM (Livestreamed) 12 PM (No music) 5:30 PM Student Mass (Sunday Supper open to all students after Mass)”
      Three Sunday Masses are listed (10 AM, 12 PM, 5:30 PM), and Sunday Supper follows the 5:30 PM Student Mass.
  • Scheduled confession is listed on weekdays and Sundays, along with Wednesday adoration.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass and Confession | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday: 9:15 – 9:45 AM, 4:30 – 5:15 PM Monday – Friday: 5:00 – 5:20 PM”
      Confession is scheduled on Sundays and on weekdays.
      “Wednesday: 7:30 – 9 PM (During Adoration)”
      Eucharistic adoration is listed Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 PM.
  • A named Jesuit priest serves as director and chaplain and invites students to come to confession.
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ // Director and Chaplain”
      Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ is director and chaplain of the Rice Catholic Student Center.
      “You may reach him at tredding@archgh.org”
      The chaplain's email address is tredding@archgh.org.

Concerns

  • The 2026-27 retreat schedule was listed as coming soon.
    Sources (1)
    1. Retreats | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “More information on retreats for the 2026-27 Academic Year coming soon!”
      Details of the 2026-27 retreat schedule were listed as coming soon.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Rice Catholic Student Center

  • Address: 1703 Bolsover St., Houston, TX 77005
  • Distance from campus: 0.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: study space

View on map ↗

Source: catholics.rice.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholics.rice.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholics.rice.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

13 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 13 location not published

Faith formation 5

  • Freshman Fellowship
    Small group for new students to build community and faith.
    catholics.rice.edu
  • Men's Group
    Small group for men to learn about faith and build brotherhood.
    catholics.rice.edu
  • Women's Group
    Small group for women to build friendship and a deeper relationship with God.
    catholics.rice.edu
  • Interior Life Group
    Small group on prayer and the spiritual traditions of the saints.
    catholics.rice.edu
  • OCIA and Adult Confirmation
    Information on OCIA (becoming Catholic), adult confirmation, and marriage preparation for Rice students, faculty, and alumni.
    catholics.rice.edu

Clubs and groups 1

  • Catholic Students Association at Rice University
    Catholic student association with a student leadership team listed on the center's site.
    catholics.rice.edu

Liturgy and prayer 4

  • Eucharistic Adoration
    Wednesdays 7:30 – 9 PM
    Adoration in the chapel.
    catholics.rice.edu, catholics.rice.edu
  • Rosary groups
    Spanish Rosary Mondays 5 PM; Franciscan Crown Rosary Tuesdays 5 PM; English Rosary Thursdays 12:15 PM
    Three weekly rosary groups; the Spanish and Franciscan Crown Rosaries are in the chapel and the English Rosary is at Baker Fountain.
    catholics.rice.edu, catholics.rice.edu, catholics.rice.edu
  • Liturgy of the Hours
    Wednesdays and Sundays at 5 PM
    Daily prayer of the Church prayed together in the chapel.
    catholics.rice.edu
  • Liturgical ministry
    Students may serve at Mass as lector, altar server, usher, musician, or Eucharistic minister.
    catholics.rice.edu

Retreats 1

Service 1

  • Service Ministry
    Service ministry for students to show the love of God through acts of service.
    catholics.rice.edu

Social life 1

  • Sunday Supper
    Sundays after the 5:30 PM Student Mass
    Dinner open to all students after the Sunday student Mass.
    catholics.rice.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Rice Catholic Student Center – Your Home Away from Homecatholics.rice.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Serving the students, faculty, and greater community of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.”
    The Rice Catholic Student Center serves students of Rice University.
    “Serving the students, faculty, and greater community of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.”
    The Rice Catholic Student Center serves students of Rice University.
    “1714 Rice Blvd. Open weekdays for prayer”
    St. Mary's Chapel is at 1714 Rice Blvd. and is open weekdays for prayer.
  2. Contact Us | Rice Catholic Student Centercatholics.rice.edu/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1703 Bolsover Street, Houston, TX 77005”
    The center's office and mailing address is 1703 Bolsover Street, Houston, TX 77005.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Tucker Redding, SJ (Director and Chaplain) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
100 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.95%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.97%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,553 · ACT 34.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.6 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$47,816

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
4,574
Total students8,556
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,370
Cost of attendance (per year)$79,788
Median federal debt at graduation$11,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
95%
First-year retention97%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$89,718
Admission rate8%
Students receiving Pell grants17%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1553
SAT reading & writing740–770
SAT math770–800
ACT composite34–35
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 90 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

The Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 227757
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Rice University a Catholic college?
No. Rice University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Rice Catholic Student Center.
What is Rice University’s Catholic Life Score?
96 out of 100 (grade A). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Rice University?
Mass is listed at Rice Catholic Student Center (per the center's Mass and Confession page). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Rice University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Rice University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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