Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.
8%
SAT 25th-75th percentileThe middle range of SAT scores for admitted students: a quarter scored below the low number and a quarter scored above the high number.
1510–1570
Undergrad enrollment
4,776
Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.
$13,370
In-state tuition
$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
$64,144
Median SAT
1510-1560
Acceptance Rate
7.99% (2024-25)
Graduation Rate
96%
Undergrad Majors
50+
Tuition (2026-27)
$71,140
Residential Colleges
11
Student-Faculty Ratio
6:1
Median Early-Career Salary
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Rice University?
Rice University's acceptance rate is approximately 8% (Houston, TX), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Rice University?
Admitted students at Rice University typically score 1510–1570 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Rice University cost?
At Rice University, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,370 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Rice University?
Rice University enrolls approximately 4,776 undergraduate students.
Where is Rice University located?
Rice University is located in Houston, TX.
Rice University is a powerhouse of intimate, collaborative learning nestled in Houston's urban sprawl, where a 6:1 student-faculty ratio fuels rigorous academics without the cutthroat pressure of its Ivy peers. With a 96% graduation rate and a median early-career salary of $110K, Rice delivers elite outcomes wrapped in a quirky, residential college system that students describe as 'the happiest in the country.'
Admissions
Rice's admissions are fiercely competitive, with a 7.99% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for the 2024-2025 cycle — one of its lowest ever. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1510-1560, with ACT composites typically between 34-36. Early Decision applicants saw a slight bump in success, with 447 admitted in the Class of 2030 cycle. Rice evaluates applicants holistically but clearly prioritizes academic rigor: Reddit threads reveal admitted students often have near-perfect test scores (e.g., 1580 SAT) and GPAs above 4.0.
Rice offers 50+ undergraduate majors across six divisions, with particular strength in engineering, natural sciences, and architecture. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio enables unusually close mentorship — Princeton Review notes science labs are 'taught with a level of personal attention rare at top research universities.' The curriculum emphasizes collaboration over competition; one Quora reviewer highlights the 'highly intelligent and respected professors' who actively engage with undergraduates. Interdisciplinary programs like the famed Shepherd School of Music and Jones Graduate School of Business (offering a BA/MBA track) allow ambitious students to cross traditional academic boundaries.
Rice's 11 residential colleges form the backbone of campus culture, fostering tight-knit communities where 99% of students report feeling 'extremely safe.' The university consistently ranks among the happiest student bodies, thanks to traditions like Beer Bike (an annual bike race between colleges) and O-Week, a immersive orientation. Reddit threads describe a culture of 'kindness and respect' where students balance rigorous academics with quirky traditions — think midnight breakfasts during finals and public pillow fights on the academic quad. Houston's amenities (museums, NASA, a thriving food scene) provide endless off-campus exploration.
Six months post-graduation, 53% of Rice alumni are employed, 33% pursue advanced degrees, and median earnings hit $110K within three years (per Forbes). The 96% graduation rate — with near-parity between genders (94% male, 97% female) — reflects Rice's exceptional student support. STEM graduates dominate employment data, but even humanities majors benefit from Rice's strong Houston corporate ties. The university's ROI is exceptional: graduates typically recoup their $133K net cost in 3.5 years, with 10-year median earnings of $89,718.
At $71,140 for tuition (2026-27), Rice isn't cheap, but its need-blind admissions and 'Rice Investment' program ensure accessibility. Families earning <$75K pay no tuition, those under $140K get full tuition coverage, and incomes up to $200K qualify for at least half-tuition grants. 45% of students receive aid, with average packages of $71,698 — often covering 100% of demonstrated need without loans. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for aided students averages $20,587, making Rice surprisingly affordable for middle-income families compared to peers.
Rice merges the academic firepower of an elite research university (think: Nobel-winning faculty and $156M in annual research expenditures) with the communal warmth of a small liberal arts college. Its residential college system — more cohesive than Yale's or Harvard's — creates instant belonging, while Houston's energy industry and Texas Medical Center offer unparalleled internships. Unlike northeastern peers, Rice couples Southern hospitality with an 'unpretentious genius' vibe: students here are as likely to debate quantum physics in a campus coffeehouse as they are to two-step at Houston's rodeo.
Rice University logo · source5 Must Do Things on Rice University Campus | 365 Houston · sourceRice unveils redesigned Academic Quad | Rice News | News and Media Relations | Rice University · sourceTake a tour of Rice University · source
