UNIVERSITY · CDS 2024-2025
Rice University
Houston, TX 4,789 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top 20Residential Colleges
Accept
8.0%
Yield
43.0%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1520–1590
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
750–790
SAT Math (mid 50%)
770–800
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
34–36
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTE92% of enrolled students were in the top 10% of their high school class, and 97% were in the top quarter.
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ED | Nov 1 | — | ED1: Nov 1 |
| RD | Jan 4 | — | RD: Jan 4 |
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$71,140
Total COA
$97,309
Avg need-based aid
$69,891
Avg merit award
$26,665
Net price after avg need aid
$27,418
Rice meets 100% of demonstrated need on average.
Named merit programs
Trustee Distinguished ScholarshipFull ride
Highly competitive
Awarded to students who show exceptional leadership and academic achievement.
Century Scholars Program
$4,000 – $4,000 / yr (renewable)
Highly competitive
A two-year program that pairs students with a faculty mentor for a research project.
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Rice's AP Policy
Rice awards credit for AP exams with scores of 4 or 5. The amount of credit varies by exam, but there is no limit to the total number of AP credits a student can receive.
Min score
4
Credit cap
Uncapped
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresImportant
- Application essayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
As a leading research university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate education, Rice University aspires to pathbreaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor.
Distilled Themes
Interdisciplinary researchPersonalized educationGlobal impactThriving urban communitiesSustainable futures
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Rice is looking for students who are not only academically gifted but also passionate, engaged, and committed to making a positive impact on the world.
- 02They value students who are intellectually curious and have a genuine love of learning, not just a desire for good grades.
- 03They want to see a commitment to collaboration and community, and a desire to contribute to Rice's unique culture.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a deep and genuine intellectual curiosity, not just a desire for good grades.
- 02Show how you will contribute to Rice's collaborative and diverse community.
- 03Highlight your unique talents and how you will use them to make a positive impact on the world.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A generic application that shows no genuine interest in Rice
- A lack of intellectual curiosity or a failure to demonstrate a commitment to the university's values
- An application that focuses solely on academic achievements without highlighting personal qualities and extracurricular involvement
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
BioengineeringEnvironmental EngineeringComputer EngineeringMaterials ScienceArchitectureMusic Performance
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Nov 1, 2025
→ Dec 15, 2025
Early Decision II
Binding
Jan 4, 2026
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Jan 4, 2026
→ Apr 1, 2026
Early Action
Not offered
—
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
TrackedWeight: Considered
Rice University considers demonstrated interest in their admissions process, as stated in their Common Data Set.
Coach action
Since Rice considers demonstrated interest, engage with the university through available channels to show your interest.
Provenance