CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Rice University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Rice University is a private university in Texas with a 8% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Texas schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
8%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1560
of admitted students
Type
Private
Texas
Selectivity in state
#1
of 53 in TX
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What Rice University looks for

What Rice University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at Rice University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Rice University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How Rice University compares in Texas

Rice University ranks #1 most selective of 53 schools in Texas in our database.

Paul Quinn College
30%acceptance · TX
University of Texas at Austin
31%acceptance · TX
Texas Christian University
40%acceptance · TX
Baylor University
47%acceptance · TX
Huston-Tillotson University
50%acceptance · TX
Jarvis Christian University
50%acceptance · TX
Texas College
50%acceptance · TX
Wiley University
50%acceptance · TX
See all Texas schools →

Similar to Rice University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

New York University
8%acceptance · NY
Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
Northeastern University
7%acceptance · MA
Northwestern University
7%acceptance · IL
Amherst College
9%acceptance · MA
Bowdoin College
9%acceptance · ME

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Rice University?

Rice University has a 8% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for Rice University?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does Rice University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Rice University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into Rice University?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for Rice University in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full Rice University chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.