Rice University

With one of the most rigorous acedemic programs in the country, Rice University is extraordinarily well-endowed and maintains small class sizes, making it hands-down one of the best buys for the top ten ultra-elite American universities. 5th on the national prestige-o-meter behind Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford.

Since when is Houston alluring? Rice is great despite the fact that it's in Houston. Strong academics, especially in the sciences. Easily one of the best schools in the country.

Outstanding for chemistry in particular and science in general. Hidden excellance in business, architecture and the arts. At one time graduates had, and may still have, the highest medical school acceptance rate in the country. The social life is much improved over the past decade or so. Proximity to the Houston Medical Center (across the street), NASA and the many oil companies needing geological and chemical research is a plus.

Houston adds to the allure of this fine institution.

The ivy league school of the Southwest. Those who have attended this great school certainly would not underrate it, but its greatness seems to go unnoticed by those on the East and West Coast. A beautiful, small Victorian-architectural style campus set in a beautiful mid-town area of Houston. I only wish I could have been so fortunate to attend this great school.

Rice has numerous great programs. Its small size makes the faculty more excessible than other schools.

Quite possibly, the best undergraduate teaching institution in America.

This university is sometimes called the Ivy of the South. It is not only a terrific school, but the price is 1/3 less than the Ivies. It was rated #1 for value by Kiplingers and in the top 15 by U.S. News, and has the third highest endowment per student, so I'm surprised there isn't a higher rating here.