Rice University: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 8% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1560 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 35 |
| Location | TX |
| School type | Private |
Rice University is a private research university in Houston, Texas. It admits about 8% of applicants, making it one of the most selective schools in the South and one of the top research universities in the country. Rice is known for a residential college system that creates tight-knit communities within the larger university.
Calculate your chances at Rice University free →How hard is it to get into Rice University?
An 8% acceptance rate puts Rice in the same tier as many schools with much higher name recognition. The applicant pool is strong, and Rice has room for only a small incoming class each year. That combination means the process is genuinely unpredictable even for highly qualified students.
Students who are admitted tend to have excellent academic records and clear intellectual interests. Rice also places real weight on the residential college culture, so applicants who show they understand and value that kind of community tend to stand out.
Test scores that make you competitive
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted Rice students is 1560, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Those are high benchmarks that put you in a competitive academic range. Rice is test-optional, giving applicants the choice to withhold scores if they do not think they add to the overall picture their application presents.
What Rice University looks for
Rice looks for students who are not just academically accomplished but also genuinely curious and engaged. The school values students who will participate actively in campus life, including within the residential college system, so your interests and personality matter alongside your grades.
Essays are important at Rice. The school asks applicants to think carefully about fit, and the questions tend to require specific, honest answers. Students who write with clarity and self-awareness consistently produce stronger applications than those who try to craft impressive-sounding but vague responses.
Estimate your chances at Rice University
You can get a free personal estimate of your chances at Rice using the CollegeCalcAI calculator at collegecalcai.com. Input your GPA, test scores, and activities, and the tool will give you a realistic sense of where your profile stands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rice University's acceptance rate?
Rice's acceptance rate is approximately 8%, placing it among the most selective universities in the United States.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Rice University?
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1560, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Those scores represent the competitive range for Rice applicants.
Is Rice University hard to get into?
Yes. At 8% acceptance, Rice is highly selective and turns away many strong applicants each year. The combination of small class sizes and a large applicant pool makes admission very competitive.
See your real odds at Rice University
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.