2024 Sessions

New students pay $2,850 for their first session: $2,750 tuition plus the $100 non-refundable testing and registration fee. Students must pay the $100 fee in order to submit their application.

A deposit of $400 is due upon acceptance into the program.

Re-enrolling students pay $2,750.

Refund Policy

  • The $100 testing and registration fee is non-refundable
  • New students canceling by 4 p.m. on the last business day before classes begin will be charged a $100 cancellation fee to cover the cost of testing and registration
  • Returning students canceling after the re-enrollment deadline and by 4 p.m. on the last business day before classes begin will be charged a $50 cancellation fee
  • Students withdrawing after 4 p.m. on the last business day before classes begin and before 4 p.m. on the tenth day of class will receive a refund of one-third of their tuition (Students who have paid $2,750 will receive a $917 refund.)
  • There is no refund for any student withdrawing after the tenth day of class
  • All refund requests must be submitted in writing to esl@rice.edu
  • Refunds will be processed as credits to the accounts from which they were paid and may not appear as a credit until the following statement
  • Refunds for enrollments paid by check can take up to four weeks to be processed
  • There is a $30 charge for any check returned for insufficient funds

Books

Books may be purchased online. Book costs average approximately $175 per session.

Cost of Living in Houston

Students in the Intensive English Program spend an average of $2,200 per month on rent, food and other expenses. The following chart gives monthly cost of living estimates (moderate) based on the experience of ESL students:

  • Rent: $1,200
  • Food: $700
  • Personal: $300 (transportation, clothing, recreation, incidentals)

Total Monthly Expenses: $2,200

Housing

Intensive English Program students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. This should be done as early as possible. Moderately priced facilities are generally available. Although the program does not provide housing or make housing arrangements, students may contact the Intensive English Program for a list of housing suggestions.

Student Responsibility for Health Care

Rice University does not have or provide medical insurance or any medical care for Intensive English Program students. Students are strongly advised to purchase their own medical insurance to cover any such costs. The policy on medical insurance is subject to change. Any updates will be included in this section.

Scholarships

A limited number of partial scholarships are available to re-enrolling students.