More selective than 100% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
50% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Rice University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Rice University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Rice University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 770 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Rice University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 8% | 740–770 | 770–800 | 34–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 8% | 730–770 | 770–800 | 34–36 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Rice University compared with other Texas colleges?
Rice University has the lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice University | 8% | 95% | $13,370 |
| 2 | Dallas Christian College | 22% | 29% | $22,960 |
| 3 | Trinity University | 26% | 84% | $23,464 |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin | 27% | 89% | $19,857 |
| 5 | LeTourneau University | 38% | 59% | $28,185 |
| 6 | Huston-Tillotson University | 39% | 34% | $19,719 |
| 7 | Paul Quinn College | 40% | 27% | $12,709 |
| 8 | Southwestern University | 43% | 73% | $29,224 |
| 9 | Texas A & M International University | 44% | 46% | $3,637 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at Rice University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Rice University admissions questions
What is the Rice University acceptance rate?
Rice University accepts 8% of applicants, about 1 in 13. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,447 of 31,059 applicants were admitted.
Does Rice University require the SAT or ACT?
Rice University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 50% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Rice University?
The middle 50% of Rice University enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1570 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Rice University?
46% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,125 of 2,447).
Is Rice University getting harder to get into?
Rice University accepted 8% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 8% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Rice University overview