Rice University Acceptance Rate (8%) & SAT/ACT Scores

Acceptance rate: 8% for fall 2024

SAT, middle 50%: 740–770 reading and writing, 770–800 math

ACT, middle 50%: 34–35 composite

Average net price: $20,587 a year (2022–23)

Rice University GPA calculator

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How does your GPA compare?

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Where you standEnter your GPA

Add a test score to compare it with what Rice University reported: an acceptance rate of 8% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 34–35.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Rice University reviews each application.

Rice University GPA requirements

Rice University doesn't require a high school GPA from first-year applicants but considers one if it's submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Rice University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Rice University acceptance rate

Rice University admitted 2,597 of 32,473 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 8%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Rice University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Houston, Texas, with 4,789 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Rice University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	740	760	770
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	34	35	35
ACT English	35	35	36
ACT Math	33	35	36

48% submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores, as Rice University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1553 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Rice University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Required
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Not considered

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Rice University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Rice University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $20,587 a year at Rice University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

How selective is Rice University?

Very hard: fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. Rice University admitted 8% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What is the acceptance rate at Rice University?

Rice University's acceptance rate was 8% for fall 2024: it admitted 2,597 of 32,473 first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

What SAT and ACT scores do Rice University students have?

The middle 50% of Rice University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 740–770 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 34–35, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

What GPA does Rice University look for?

Rice University doesn't require a high school GPA but considers one if submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

Can I get into Rice University with a 3.5 GPA?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Rice University admitted 8% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

How important is GPA for getting into Rice University?

It's one factor among several: Rice University requires high school record, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, college preparatory program, test scores, demonstration of competencies and work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Is Rice University test optional?

Yes. Rice University considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 48% sent SAT scores and 22% sent ACT scores.

Does Rice University look at legacy status?

No. Rice University doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What is the average net price at Rice University?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $20,587 a year at Rice University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does Rice University give credit for AP exams?

Yes. Rice University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check Rice University's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

College Navigator: Rice UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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