Rice University Acceptance Rate: Admissions Statistics

Rice University is tough to get into. For the Class of 2028, Rice University’s acceptance rate clocked in at 7.5%. That means for every 100 students who applied, only around seven received that exciting acceptance letter.

Keep in mind, though, that Rice University’s acceptance rate changes each year depending on the applicant pool and other factors. But the facts tell us: with more students applying and standards rising, competition is getting fiercer each year. If you’re aiming for the Class of 2029, you’ll need a standout application.

In this blog, we’ll break down Rice University’s acceptance rate and key admissions trends, including Regular and Early Admissions, yield, transfer, and waitlist rates. You’ll also get quick tips on building a strong application, from GPA and test scores to extracurriculars and essays. Our goal is to help you stand out and boost your chances of getting in!

• What Is Rice University’s Acceptance Rate?
• Rice University Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• Rice University Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• How to Get Accepted into Rice University
• Rice University Transfer Acceptance Rate
• Rice University Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Rice University’s Acceptance Rate?

Rice’s acceptance rate has been dropping steadily over the years. For the Class of 2028, it hit 7.5%, the lowest in Rice history. Out of 32,459 applicants, only 2,439 students got in.

Let’s take a look at the complete breakdown of Rice’s acceptance rates for the Class of 2028:

Looking at the numbers, it’s pretty clear that applying ED gives you a way better shot compared to RD. For RD, out of 29,573 applications, only 1,997 got in, which is a 6.8% acceptance rate—pretty tough odds. But for ED, 442 out of 2,886 applicants were accepted, making the acceptance rate 15.3%. That’s more than double the RD rate.

Class of 2029 stats

More recently, Rice dropped its Early Decision results for the Class of 2029. This year, they got 2,970 ED applications and accepted 391 students, which works out to a 13.2% ED acceptance rate. That’s a bit lower than last year’s 15.3% for the Class of 2028, so the competition is definitely heating up.

If you’re waiting for Rice’s latest Regular Decision results, those will be out after March 2025.

Rice University yield rate

Rice’s Class of 2028 had a 44% yield rate, meaning 1073 out of the 2,439 students accepted their offers and enrolled. They were joined by 74 transfer students. The yield rate shows how many accepted students actually decide to attend. A higher yield rate usually means a school is highly desirable, as more students are choosing it over other options.

To give you an idea of how strong that number is, the national average yield rate for four-year nonprofit colleges in Fall 2024 was only 30%. Private colleges did slightly better at 33%, while public colleges were at 25%. With a 44% yield rate, Rice stands out, proving just how popular it is among top students.

Rice University Acceptance Rate Trends

Rice University’s acceptance rate has been going down year after year. This isn’t surprising since more students are applying, and Rice’s reputation keeps growing. As more people see the value of a Rice education, the competition to get in gets even tougher.

Here’s how Rice University’s acceptance rate has declined over the past five years:

Back in the Class of 2024, there were 23,455 applications with a 10.9% acceptance rate, but fast forward to the Class of 2028, and applications jumped to 32,459 while the acceptance rate dropped to just 7.5%. That’s a steady climb in applications and a noticeable dip in acceptance rates—almost a 4% drop in just five years.

Each year, more students apply to Rice, and as a result, acceptance rates keep dropping. The lower acceptance rate shows how much Rice’s reputation is growing, letting the school pick the best of the best. But for applicants like you, it also means tougher competition since more talented students are vying for a spot.

Rice University acceptance rate vs Ivy League schools

People often compare Rice to Ivy League schools when talking about top-tier universities. With a 7.5% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028, here’s how Rice measures up against the Ivies:

With an 7.5% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028, Rice is just as competitive as many of these Ivy League schools. While it doesn’t hit the ultra-low rates of Harvard, Yale, or Columbia, it’s more selective than Cornell and not too far behind schools like Dartmouth, Brown, or UPenn. This tells you just how highly regarded Rice is.

Meaning? Rice offers the same level of prestige and incredible opportunities but getting in will still require a standout application!

Rice University Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

Rice has yet to release its Regular Decision results for the Class of 2029. Those numbers will be available in March 2025. However, for the Class of 2028, Rice University’s Regular Decision acceptance rate was an extremely selective 6.8%

Here’s Rice’s Regular Decision acceptance rate trend for the last 5 years:

Looking at Rice’s RD acceptance rate trends over the past five years, it’s clear that admission has become increasingly competitive. In 2024, there were 21,207 RD applications with a 10% acceptance rate, but by 2028, applications surged to 29,573 while the acceptance rate dropped to just 6.8%. That’s a significant decline, with acceptance rates falling by over 3% in just five years.

The steady rise in applications—jumping by nearly 8,400 from 2024 to 2028—paired with the shrinking acceptance rate, shows that Rice is becoming a tougher school to get into through RD. It’s a classic case of more students applying for roughly the same number of spots, making the process more selective each year.

Rice University Regular Decision deadline and notification date

If you’re applying to Rice through Regular Decision, the deadline to submit your application is January 4.

Once everything is in, the waiting game begins! You can expect to hear back with your admission decision by April 1. That’s when Rice lets you know if you’ve made it into one of the most prestigious and competitive schools in the country.

Rice Early Decision Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2029, Rice University hit a record-low Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate of 13.2%. Out of 2,970 ED applications, only 391 students were accepted. This year’s acceptance rate is slightly lower than last year’s 15.3%.

To fully understand this trend, let’s take a look at Rice’s Early Decision acceptance rate over the years:

Rice University’s ED trends show a similar pattern of increasing competitiveness, though the acceptance rates are still higher than RD. For the Class of 2025, there were 2,635 ED applications with an 18.1% acceptance rate, but by the Class of 2029, applications rose to 2,970 while the acceptance rate dropped to 13.2%. That’s a noticeable decline of nearly 5% over five years.

While ED still offers a better shot compared to RD, the rising number of applicants—up by over 300 from 2025 to 2029—and the falling acceptance rates highlight that even ED is getting tougher. It’s clear that more students are targeting ED to boost their chances, but as the pool grows, the advantage is shrinking a bit.

Despite that, if Rice is your top choice, applying Early Decision can still give you an advantage. ED acceptance rates are often double or even triple those of RD, so it’s a smart way to boost your chances. If you have strong grades, a solid application, and are ready to commit, Early Decision might be the way to go!

Rice University Early Decision policy

Rice University gives you two Early Decision (ED) options. Both ED I and ED II are binding, which means that if you’re accepted, you’re committed to enrolling at Rice and need to withdraw any applications to other schools.

Early Decision II, introduced in June 2024, is a great option if you need extra time to finalize your application or make Rice your first choice. It gives you another chance to show how committed you are while still getting an earlier decision.

Here’s what happens if you apply ED to Rice:

• Admit. Congrats, you’re in—and you’re going to Rice!
• Defer. Your application moves to the Regular Decision round, giving you another chance.
• Deny. Unfortunately, your journey with Rice ends here for this admissions cycle.

Rice University Early Decision deadline and notification date

Rice University offers two Early Decision (ED) options with the following deadline and notification dates:

• Early Decision I (ED I). The application deadline is November 1, with decisions to be released by mid-December.
• Early Decision II (ED II). The application deadline is January 4, and applicants can expect to receive their decisions by mid-February.

Keep these dates in mind to stay on track and ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines!

How to Get Accepted into Rice University

Applying to Rice is pretty straightforward. They accept both the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

So, how do you stand out among so many ambitious applicants? Rice takes a holistic approach to admissions. Meaning, they look at everything—your grades, test scores, essays, extracurriculars, and even what your recommenders say about you. The goal is to show who you are beyond just the numbers.

Here’s how you can improve your chances of getting into Rice’s highly competitive programs:

Target GPA

Rice University doesn’t have an official minimum GPA, but let’s be real—you’ll need strong grades to stay competitive. While Rice doesn’t publicly share its average GPA, most admitted students are top achievers. To have a solid shot, aiming for a 4.12 or higher is a good idea.

Looking at Rice’s Common Data Set for 2023-2024, it’s clear that academics matter:

• 91.4% of admitted students were in the top 10% of their high school class.
• 98.0% ranked in the top 25% of their class.
• 99.8% landed in the top half of their class.

Bottom line? Rice attracts high-achieving students, so keeping your GPA as high as possible will put you in the best position for admission.

Target test scores

Rice University doesn’t have a strict SAT or ACT requirement, but if you’re submitting scores, they need to be impressive. While Rice is test-optional, strong scores can help your application stand out and show that you’re ready for the school’s challenging academics.

Based on Rice’s latest Common Data Set, here’s what competitive scores look like:

For the SAT, aim for a composite score of 1560 or higher, which is the 75th percentile. This score will put you in a strong position and demonstrate your ability to handle Rice’s challenging coursework. For the ACT, a composite score of 35 or above will keep you competitive. If you can push closer to a 36, particularly in Math and English, your application will stand out even more.

High test scores aren’t required, but if you’re submitting them, aim for the upper range to boost your chances of getting into Rice.

Other requirements

When applying to Rice, these other key factors can make your application stand out:

• Extracurriculars. Rice wants leaders and innovators, not just club joiners. Focus on activities where you’ve taken charge, made an impact, or pursued your passions—like leading a debate team, launching a STEM club, or spearheading a sustainability project. Show how you’ve pushed boundaries and left your mark.
• Essays. Your essays are your chance to shine beyond grades and test scores. Use them to share your story, values, and what makes you unique. Connect your experiences to what makes Rice special, like its residential college system or research opportunities, and show why you’re a perfect fit.
• Recommendations. Rice values detailed, personal insights. You’ll need three letters: one from your counselor (highlighting your overall high school journey) and two from teachers who know you well (preferably in core subjects or related to your intended major). Choose teachers who can share specific examples of your growth and achievements.

If you want a closer look at each section, check out our detailed guide that walks you through every requirement step-by-step. It’s packed with tips to help you put together an application that maximizes your chances of beating Rice’s tough acceptance rate.

Rice University Transfer Acceptance Rate

According to Rice University’s Common Data Set for 2023-2024 (Class of 2027), Rice University’s transfer acceptance rate was 4.5%. The school received 1,370 transfer applicants and accepted only 61 students.

At Rice, you’re considered a transfer applicant if you’ve already completed high school and earned at least 12 semester hours of college credit after graduating. To be eligible, you need a minimum 3.2 GPA in your most recent college coursework. However, most admitted transfer students have a 3.5 GPA or higher.

When reviewing transfer applications, Rice looks at both your high school and college performance, but your college coursework carries more weight. They also consider the difficulty of your classes and the competitiveness of the college you’re transferring from. If you’re planning to transfer to Rice, aim for strong grades in challenging courses to make your application stand

Important dates for transfer students

If you’re planning to transfer to Rice for the fall semester, make sure to submit your application and all required documents by March 15. Admission decisions are released on a rolling basis in June. For those aiming for the spring semester, the deadline to apply is October 15, with decisions announced by December 1.

Rice’s transfer admissions process has three possible outcomes:

• Admit. Congratulations, you’re in!
• Waitlist. If you’re placed on the waitlist, you can choose to stay on it in case spots open up.
• Deny. If you aren’t admitted, you’re welcome to reapply in the next application cycle.

All admissions decisions are final, so make sure your application is strong before you hit submit!

Rice University Waitlist Acceptance Rate

According to Rice’s latest Common Data Set (Class of 2027), 3,935 applicants were offered a spot on the waitlist, but only 7 ended up getting admitted. That’s a waitlist acceptance rate of just 0.2%! And for the Class of 2026, it was even tougher—not a single student was admitted off the waitlist. It’s a harsh reality for anyone holding out hope for that second chance.

Historically, Rice’s waitlist acceptance rate has ranged from 0.05% to 11.94%, and in the last 14 years, the university has always admitted at least one student from the waitlist. In the past few years, these chances have dropped sharply. After a peak for the Class of 2024 at 7.6%, waitlist acceptances have plummeted to almost zero.

This could mean Rice is getting even more selective or adjusting how it manages its waitlist. If you’re aiming for a spot in the next class, this trend is something to keep in mind as you plan your next steps.

What to do if you’re waitlisted

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—getting off Rice’s waitlist is extremely tough. It’s not because the waitlisted students aren’t qualified; in fact, it has nothing to do with who’s on the list. The real reason is that most students who get into Rice choose to enroll, leaving very few, if any, open spots for waitlisted applicants.

Here’s what you can do while waiting:

• Confirm your spot. Follow Rice’s instructions to accept your spot on the waitlist. If you don’t, you’ll be out of the running.
• Send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). Write a short, genuine note to Rice’s admissions office. Let them know you’re still excited about attending and share any updates or achievements since you applied.
• Keep your grades up. Stay focused on your academics and continue with your extracurriculars. Rice looks for consistency and dedication, even after applications are in.
• Stay realistic. The waitlist process can be unpredictable, so while it’s okay to hope for good news, focus on making the most of the school where you’ve already been admitted. It’s important to have a strong start, no matter where you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Rice’s overall acceptance rate?

Rice University hasn’t shared the overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 yet. But for the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate was 7.5%, with 32,459 applicants and only 2,439 students admitted.

2. What is Rice’s Early Decision acceptance rate?

For the Class of 2029, Rice University had a record-low Early Decision acceptance rate of 13.2%. Out of 2,970 ED applicants, 391 students were accepted.

3. What is Rice’s Regular Decision acceptance rate?

For the Class of 2028, Rice had a 6.8% Regular Decision acceptance rate, with 29,573 applicants and 1,997 admitted. The Class of 2029 results haven’t been released yet—they’re expected in March 2025.

4. What is Rice’s transfer acceptance rate?

For the Class of 2028, Rice had a 4.5% transfer acceptance rate, with 1,370 applicants and only 61 admitted.

5. What is Rice’s waitlist acceptance rate?

Rice’s transfer acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 was 0.2%. For the Class of 2026, no students were admitted from the waitlist.

Takeaways

Rice University is becoming more competitive each year, with acceptance rates steadily declining. With more students applying, future admissions will likely be even more demanding. If you’re aiming for Rice, you’ll need a standout application.

• Rice’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 is 7.5%, the lowest in the school’s history.
• Rice’s acceptance rate is comparable to that of the Ivies. It may not be as low as Harvard, Yale, or Columbia’s, but it is lower than Cornell’s.
• For the Class of 2028, Early Decision applicants had a significantly higher acceptance rate (15.3%) compared to Regular Decision (6.8%).
• A GPA of around 4.12 and SAT/ACT scores in the upper ranges (SAT 1560, ACT 36) are ideal, alongside strong essays and recommendations.
• If Rice University is your target school, you need to prepare heavily. Work with the best college admissions expert to help you with your college application profile and increase your chances of getting in.