Elementary, Middle School and Adult Community Groups
Rice University is committed to community outreach and offers campus tours for elementary school, middle school, and adult community groups. These tours are hosted Monday through Friday by the Rice University Welcome Center.
Tour Availability & Restrictions
3rd – 8th Grade Tours Our guided 1.5-hour program focuses on providing college-going resources to schools and youth organizations. This program is paused from June through August. Requests for Fall 2026 tours will be accepted online starting in July.
Adult Community Groups Tours for adult civic and community organizations are offered year-round, Monday through Friday, based on student guide availability.
General Public Summer Tours (June Only) If you are visiting individually or with a small family group this summer, we offer 45-minute public tours Monday through Friday in June starting at 10 a.m. Tours depart from the Welcome Center, and no registration is required.
High School Groups: The Welcome Center does not provide tours for high school students. You must register your tour through the Office of Admission by clicking here.
Group Tour Guidelines
Please review these requirements thoroughly before submitting a tour request. Contact the Welcome Center at welcome@rice.edu with any questions.
Booking & Scheduling
All group tours require at least a two-week notice. Because tours are scheduled based on the availability of current student guides, groups are highly encouraged to provide at least three different options for preferred dates on their request.
Please note that submitting a request form does not guarantee a booking. Your date and time are only locked in once you receive a formal confirmation email from welcome@rice.edu.
Group Size & Chaperone Requirements (Youth Groups)
We can accommodate a maximum of 60 students per group. Organizations with larger groups are encouraged to look into our self-guided tour options or to schedule their visit over multiple days.
To ensure safety, we require a minimum of one chaperone for every 10 students in attendance. Chaperones must remain with the group at all times—including the walking portion of the tour—and are responsible for managing student behavior.
Arrival, Cancellation, & Liability
Arrival Time: Groups should arrive 10–15 minutes prior to their scheduled time. Because our student guides have tight academic schedules, late arrivals may result in a shortened or modified tour.
Cancellations: Organizers must provide at least 48-hour notice to cancel a tour. Tours that need to be rescheduled will typically have to take place during the following semester.
Liability: Requesting institutions, organizers, and chaperones assume all liability for their participants. For youth groups, schools are required to complete the Campus Visit/Tour Release of Liability Form and submit it upon arrival. Rice University is not responsible for lost or stolen goods, accidents, or injuries.
Weather, Dining, & Accommodations
Dress & Weather: Campus tours involve a significant amount of walking. Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, and bring a water bottle. If Rice University closes due to severe weather, all tours are automatically canceled and registered groups will be notified.
Lunch & Other Campus Events (Optional): Groups have the option to purchase group meals or coordinate other activities—such as department visits, art exhibitions, or athletic events—while on campus. These activities must be arranged independently and do not guarantee a tour slot. Please secure your campus tour confirmation first. Once confirmed, you can contact dining@rice.edu for lunch arrangements, tickets@rice.edu for sporting events, or the specific campus department directly.
Disability Accommodations: If any special requests or accommodations for a disability are needed, please contact the Welcome Center at 713-348-6124 or welcome@rice.edu at least one week prior to your tour.