Rice Admission Requirements

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Rice Admission Overview

Rice admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Rice admitted 8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1510-1570 / ACT 34-35. Rice is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rice is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicants

Rice Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Rice acceptance rate is 8%. Last year, only 2,597 of 32,473 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Texas and the 24th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Rice and can you get accepted?

Rice is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 44% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rice GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.96*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.96*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Rice has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.96 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.96 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Rice is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

*3.96 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Rice Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Rice University recommends SAT or ACT scores from first-year and transfer applicants if available. Students who cannot send scores or prefer not to send them receive full consideration. SAT and ACT are not required. U.S. high school graduates may self-report; admitted students who used self-reported scores and enroll must send official reports before matriculation. Rice superscores both tests, does not require SAT or ACT essays, and treats ACT science as optional.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicants

Rice SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1510-1570

Freshmen who sent SAT

48%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 770
Math 800
Composite 1570

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Rice typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Rice ranks #1 in the state of Texas and #12 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1570

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1510–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Rice is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Rice University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1570+	Above 75th	>14%
1540 to 1570	Avg +	8%-14%
1510 to 1540	Avg -	4%-8%
Below 1510	Below mid-50	<4%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rice ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

34-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 34

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Rice typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 34–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Rice places #1 among colleges in Texas and #35 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 34 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 34–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Rice without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Rice University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>24%
34 to 35	Avg +	8%-24%
34 to 34	Avg -	8%-8%
Below 34	Below mid-50	<8%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

92% of Rice University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Rice University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	92%
Top 25% of class	97%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Rice chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Rice University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	15,436	17,033	32,473
Accepted	1,267	1,330	2,597
Acceptance Rate	8%	8%	8%
Enrolled	561	587	1,148
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	44%	44%	44%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Rice University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Rice University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Rice University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Rice University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Rice is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 8% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1510-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025