Lana Oconnell
Rice University is a highly selective private research institution located in Houston, Texas. The university has a low acceptance rate, which was 7.5% for the 2024-25 academic year, and has received over 32,000 applications in recent years. The application process at Rice University is rigorous, with admissions officials considering a range of factors, including GPA, class rank, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, essays, and test scores. The university seeks students with strong academic credentials and a diverse range of interests and backgrounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Applications | 32,459 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.5% |
| Number of Students Admitted | 2,439 |
| Number of Undergraduate Students | 4,000 |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 6:1 |
| SAT Score Range | 1500-1570 |
| ACT Score Range | 34-36 |
| GPA | 4.17 |
| Application Requirements | Extracurriculars, Essays, Letters of Recommendation |
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What You'll Learn
Rice University's acceptance rate
Rice University is a highly selective private research institution located in Houston, Texas. The acceptance rate for the 2024-25 academic year was an all-time low of 7.5%. The university received 32,459 applications and accepted 2,439 students. The early decision (ED) acceptance rate was 15.3%, with 442 of the Class of 2028 admitted via ED out of a pool of 2,886 applicants.
Rice University considers a student's GPA and high school class rank to be very important academic factors in the admissions process. Letters of recommendation are also considered very important. Half of the applicants admitted to Rice submit SAT scores between 1500 and 1570 or an ACT score between 34 and 36. The university is consistently ranked in the top 20 among all universities in the nation.
Rice University is not one of the eight Ivy League Schools, but it is still highly prestigious and selective. The university received 32,000+ applications for the 2025-26 academic year, and the acceptance rate is expected to remain in the single digits. The school is known for its exceptional undergraduate engineering programme and well-resourced campus.
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Rice University's application requirements
Rice University is one of the most selective universities in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 8.7%—or 7.5%, according to another source. For every 100 applicants, only around 9 are admitted. The university is consistently ranked in the top 20 among all universities and is known for its exceptional undergraduate engineering program.
Application Fee
There is a $75 nonrefundable application fee. Students requesting an application fee waiver should respond to the fee waiver prompts provided in the Common Application. Those participating in the QuestBridge program automatically qualify for application fee waivers.
Academic Requirements
Rice University seeks students who demonstrate intellectual vitality through their course selection and grade performance. The natural science and engineering divisions require, at a minimum, trigonometry or precalculus, and both chemistry and physics. Students may substitute a second year of chemistry or biology for physics. Students admitted with curriculum deficiencies will be asked to complete the required work by taking high school or college-level courses during the summer before enrollment.
Rice University recommends that first-year and transfer student applicants to undergraduate degree-seeking programs submit SAT or ACT test scores, if available. The mid-50% SAT range was 1500-1560 and the mid-50% ACT range was 34-36.
Rice University's average GPA is 4.17, which means you'll need mostly straight As in all your classes to compete with other applicants. You should also be taking advanced classes—such as AP or IB courses—to demonstrate your academic preparation.
Extracurriculars, Essays, and Letters of Recommendation
In addition to academic requirements, Rice University requires extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. The Rice supplement offers applicants the opportunity to share more about themselves, including why they are interested in the university and what they would like to pursue as a student there. Applicants are also asked to elaborate on their experiences and achievements and how they would contribute to the Rice community.
QuestBridge and Early Decision
Rice University is one of the original QuestBridge university partners, with a commitment to providing access to low-income students. The university also offers an early decision program, in which applicants agree to attend the college if they are accepted. Last year, 42% of the freshman class was comprised of early decision admits.
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Rice University's competitiveness
Rice University is a highly competitive private research institution in Houston, Texas, with an undergraduate population of around 4,000 students. The university is consistently ranked in the top 20 among all universities in the US and is known for its exceptional undergraduate engineering programme.
Rice University received 32,459 applications for the 2024-25 academic year, with an acceptance rate of 7.5%, the lowest in the university's history. The university has maintained a single-digit acceptance rate for several years, with the rate being 8.7% for the 2023 intake, when it received 27,084 applications. The university's yield rate, or the percentage of accepted students who enrol, is 46%, which is higher than that of many other top private universities.
Rice University is committed to selecting students who demonstrate academic prowess and a strong promise of leadership and interest in bettering their communities. The university considers a student's GPA, high school class rank, and letters of recommendation to be very important factors in the admissions process. The university also considers SAT and ACT scores, with the mid-50% SAT range for the class of 2027 being 1500-1560, and the mid-50% ACT range being 34-36.
Rice University is highly selective, and applicants must present a strong application with impressive extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation to gain admission. The university is particularly competitive for applicants from states with many qualified applicants, such as the Northeast and the West Coast of the US. Applicants from less populated states may have a slight advantage in the admissions process.
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Rice University's student yield rate
Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is one of the nation's finest private research institutions. The school has approximately 4,000 undergraduate students and is ranked in the top 20 among all universities. The university is known for its exceptional undergraduate engineering program, high-quality academic instruction, and vibrant campus life.
In recent years, Rice University has seen a significant increase in the number of applications. For the 2024-25 academic year, the university received 32,459 applications, a substantial rise from the 8,800 applications received in the 2007-08 academic year. This increase in applications has resulted in a more competitive admissions process, with acceptance rates in the single digits for several years. For the 2024-25 academic year, the acceptance rate was an all-time low of 7.5%.
Rice University's yield rate, which refers to the percentage of accepted students who choose to enrol, was 46% for the Class of 2027. This yield rate is slightly higher than the previous year and is comparable to other top private universities. The university's yield rate can be influenced by various factors, including the increasing selectivity of the admissions process and the expansion of undergraduate enrollment and on-campus housing options.
Rice University's ED (Early Decision) acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was 15.3%. Early Decision applicants are those who apply early and are committed to attending Rice University if accepted. The ED acceptance rate has been increasing, with 42% of the freshman class in the previous year and 44% in the Class of 2028 being admitted through Early Decision. This indicates that applying early may improve an applicant's chances of admission to Rice University.
In summary, Rice University is a highly selective institution with a low acceptance rate and a yield rate that is comparable to other top private universities. The university's yield rate of 46% for the Class of 2027 reflects the appeal of the university's strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to access and affordability. The increasing number of applications and expanding enrollment indicate that Rice University is an attractive option for many students seeking a top-tier education.
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Rice University's application deadlines
Rice University is a private research institution located in Houston, Texas, with a student body of around 4,000 undergraduates. The university is highly selective, with an acceptance rate in the single digits for several years. For the 2024-25 application cycle, Rice received 32,459 applications and made 2,439 offers, resulting in an acceptance rate of 7.5%.
Rice University offers two application routes for first-year domestic applicants: Early Decision and Regular Decision. The Early Decision route is binding, meaning that successful applicants must withdraw applications to other colleges and submit an enrollment deposit by January 4 for Early Decision I or by March 1 for Early Decision II. The deadline for Early Decision applications for Fall 2025 is December 15, 2024. The Regular Decision route is non-binding, with a deadline of February 15, 2025, for Fall 2025 applications. Admission decisions are released by April 1, and all decisions are final.
Rice University charges a non-refundable application fee of $75, although students can request a fee waiver. The university also offers interviews as part of the application process, which are conducted virtually. Applicants must submit their applications before requesting an interview.
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Frequently asked questions
Rice University has seen an increase in applications over the years. For the class of 2023, 27,084 students applied, and for the class of 2025, the university received over 32,000 applications.
The acceptance rate at Rice University has been in the single digits for several years. The overall acceptance rate for the class of 2023 was 8.7%. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024-25 was an all-time low of 7.5%.
Rice University is highly selective and considers various factors for admission. While there is no explicit policy on SAT/ACT requirements, most applicants submit their scores. A strong application includes high SAT/ACT scores, a high GPA, and a well-rounded profile with extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.
