Rice University Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Houston, Texas
Private | Semester System | ~8500 Students
Source:
Rice University's Registrar
Rice University
- Office of the Registrar.
Last Verified:
August 10, 2026
Table of Contents
Looking for important Rice University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and other resources.
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Important Academic Dates
Fall Semester
Fall Semester Begins
August 23, 2026
Fall Add/Drop Deadline
October 8, 2026
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
September 3, 2026
Fall Finals Week Start Date
December 8, 2026
Fall Finals Week End Date
December 14, 2026
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
January 10, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
January 21, 2027
Spring Break Start Date
March 12, 2027
Spring Break End Date
March 20, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
March 12, 2027
Spring Finals Week Start Date
April 27, 2027
Spring Finals Week End Date
May 3, 2027
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
May 7, 2027
Summer Semester Begins
May 2, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Rice University's Fall term begin?
Rice University's Fall begins on Aug, 24 2026.
When is Rice University’s Spring Break?
Rice University's Spring Break is from Mar, 13 2027 through Mar, 21 2027.
When are Rice University’s final exams?
Rice University's Fall final exams are scheduled from Dec, 9 2026 through Dec, 15 2026.
Does Rice University use semesters or quarters?
Rice University uses a semester academic calendar.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The Fall 2026 semester begins August 24, 2026. The last day to add courses online through ESTHER is September 4. Study Days are December 5-8, with final examinations for undergraduate courses from December 9-15. The Fall semester ends December 15. December Commencement is scheduled for December 7.
Spring Semester
The Spring 2027 semester begins January 11, 2027. Late registration continues through January 22, and the last day to add courses online through ESTHER is January 22. Students should consult Rice's official Spring 2027 calendar for the complete schedule of breaks, withdrawal deadlines, examinations, and other academic dates.
Rice University does not have a traditional university-wide Winter semester. Winter Break occurs between the Fall and Spring semesters.
Summer Semester
Rice offers a Summer semester with courses and programs scheduled during the summer. Rice also maintains separate Summer calendars for its semester and quadmester programs. Students should check the applicable Summer calendar for course-specific dates.
Important Note
This page is intended for informational and planning purposes only. Academic calendars may vary by academic program, degree level, and course format. Always confirm registration dates, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal deadlines, examination schedules, and commencement information using Rice University's official academic calendar before making academic decisions.
University Overview
Rice University is a private research university in Houston, Texas. Rice follows a semester-based academic calendar with Fall and Spring semesters and a Summer semester. Rice also maintains a separate four-quadmester calendar for the MBA@Rice program. The Office of the Registrar maintains the official academic calendars.
Registration Overview
Rice students register for courses through ESTHER, with registration dates and deadlines varying by student status and semester. For Fall 2026, the registration period includes course requests for incoming students, continuing-student add/drop periods, and late registration through September 4. Spring 2027 registration continues into January, with late registration ending January 22.
Finals Overview
Fall 2026 undergraduate final examinations run from December 9 through December 15. Rice schedules study days immediately before the examination period. Exact examination dates for individual courses should be confirmed through the official schedule.
Graduation Overview
Rice's December 2026 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for December 7 for Summer and Fall 2026 degree recipients. Spring commencement information should be confirmed through Rice's official commencement schedule.