Rice University Precollege Economics: The Business of Economics

Everything is asynchronous, so there are no live classes, no Zoom calls and no set log-in times. You watch pre-recorded video lectures on Canvas, complete an assignment at the end of each module and build your capstone, and the only deadline is your session's end date, when every piece of work has to be in.

The content is identical whatever length you pick, so the choice is really about pace. Rice puts the workload at roughly 30 hours a week for the one-week session, 15 for two weeks and 7.5 for four. Your mentor answers questions through the Canvas inbox and discussion boards, reviews your assignments and comments on your capstone before you finalize it. Mentors are most active during US daytime hours, which is worth knowing if you'll be working while the US sleeps.

Work is marked Complete or Incomplete, with no letter grades, and you keep view-only access to the materials for a month after your session ends.

The course was designed by James DeNicco, who directs the principles of economics program at Rice University and is a senior lecturer there. He earned his Ph.D. in economics at Drexel University with a focus on macroeconomics. You won't meet him live, though, because the teaching comes through pre-recorded video, and Rice says the lessons also include discussions among experts and advice from working professionals.

Your day-to-day support comes from a human mentor, not an AI. The three mentors Rice lists for this course have mixed backgrounds. Aaron holds an MBA alongside a theater degree and a master's in higher education administration, Maria holds an MBA and is certified as a financial paraplanner, and Daniel is a Rice Ph.D. student in bioengineering.

You need to be at least 13, and Rice says you can start as early as middle school and continue through senior year, or take a course in a gap year within one year of graduating. The course isn't meant for college students or adults.

International students are welcome as long as they can apply and study in English, and no English test is required. Rice doesn't give an acceptance rate or cohort size. With no transcripts or recommendation letters involved, the application rests mainly on your personal statement, which Rice calls the most important part.

Applications go through Rice's precollege application page.

1. 1

   Fill in the online application with contact details for you and a parent or guardian. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and saves your progress if you can't finish in one sitting.

2. 2

   Write a brief personal statement in English on why you want to take the course, in writing, video, photos or any medium you like.

3. 3

   Choose your session and submit before its deadline, such as 15 November 2026 for the 22 to 29 November 2026 session.

4. 4

   If you need help with the fee, click Apply for a need-based scholarship on the confirmation page.

5. 5

   Expect a decision by email within a week, or a few days more at busy times.

6. 6

   Pay your tuition by the day before your session starts. Your place isn't confirmed until Rice receives payment, so it recommends paying as soon as you're accepted.

7. 7

   Look out for your Canvas course invitation at least two days before your start date.

The course costs $1,795 whichever session length you choose, and Rice says there are no additional fees, so that covers the lectures, your mentor's feedback and the certificate. You supply your own device and internet connection, which the fee doesn't cover.

If you enroll in two Rice precollege courses at the same time, the pair costs $3,000, but that price can't be combined with a scholarship. Need-based scholarships are available for students who show financial need and high potential, and Rice doesn't say how much they're worth.

You get a full refund if you cancel at least seven calendar days before your start date. From six days before, the fee is non-refundable, and failing to earn the certificate doesn't entitle you to a refund either.

If your work is judged satisfactory on at least 70% of the assignments and on the whole capstone by your end date, Rice emails you a Certificate of Completion. The capstone is the more substantial thing to take away. It's a presentation on stagflation in which you propose policies for a failing economy facing high unemployment, high inflation and inequality, and Rice encourages you to use it on college and internship applications.

What it won't give you is credit. There are no grades, college credits or transcripts, and Rice says taking a precollege course earns no preferential treatment in its own admissions. Rice suggests listing it on applications as an extracurricular or experiential activity, not as educational experience.