Rice
Rice University · Houston, Texas · Private
Rice admitted 8.0% of 36,791 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1510–1560 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 96% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Rice
Enter a score to see whether Rice is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 8.0% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 11% (647 of 5,748), compared with 8.0% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
3,196 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 2,204 took it, and 66 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Rice rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Important
- –
Considered
- Interview
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Religion
What it costs
Full price with housing is $78,278 a year. After grants, students paid $20,587 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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