Rice University vs Williams College

Rice University is the more selective of the two at 8%, versus 8% at Williams College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Rice University
Most selective
8%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1560
Private · Texas
Williams College
Most selective
8%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1530
Private · Massachusetts

Rice University vs Williams College: the differences that matter

How Rice University and Williams College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Rice University and Williams College are almost equally selective (8% vs 8%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Rice University leans more on class rank, standardized test scores, while Williams College puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Rice University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560 and Williams College's is around 1530. Admitted students at Rice University post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorRice UniversityWilliams College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankimportantconsidered
Standardized test scoresvery importantimportant
Application essayimportantvery important
Recommendationsimportantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredvery important
Talent / abilityconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Rice University or Williams College harder to get into?

Rice University is harder to get into, with a 8% acceptance rate versus 8% at Williams College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Rice University and Williams College?

Rice University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560, and Williams College's is around 1530.

What are my chances at Rice University and Williams College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.