Rice University’s Acceptance Rate for the Class of 2029
Rice University extended admission to 2,852 new students, selected from a highly competitive pool of 36,777 applicants, marking an acceptance rate of 7.8%, which is the highest since 2022. Yvonne Romero, Vice President for Enrollment, shared this milestone, which heralds not just a new academic year but a vibrant chapter in Rice’s legacy.
This year’s admissions cycle, Class of 202,9 highlights its increasing prestige and its continued commitment to fostering a diverse, tight-knit community. In 2025, the college rose in its listing in the Forbes magazine (ranked 9th). With 36,777 applicants, the university saw a surge in interest, yet the 7.8% acceptance rate stands as a testament to its selective standards. This rate is slightly higher than the record-low 7.5% for the Class of 2028.
Rice University’s acceptance rates over recent years have shown slight fluctuations, with the Class of 2026 seeing an 8.68% acceptance rate (2,730 admitted out of 31,443 applicants), the Class of 2027 at 7.88% (2,447 out of 31,059), and the Class of 2028 at exactly 8.00% (2,597 out of 32,473 applicants).
Understanding Rice University’s Acceptance Rate | Ivy Central
Growing Importance of Early Decision Rounds
Notably, the university admitted 491 students through Early Decision I and the QuestBridge program, with acceptance rates of 13.2% and 6%, respectively. Additionally, 158 students were admitted in the inaugural Early Decision II cycle. The conversations around the importance of committing early to colleges are seeing an immense uptick following colleges’ preference to make offers to students who are ready to commit. But, the most important consideration must always be whether the university is your absolute top choice, and you are ready to commit to enroll. Your application will be reviewed along with thousands of strong candidates, hence, it will be critical to demonstrate how you are an ideal fit for any university.
According to The Thresher (Rice University’s official newspaper), this admissions cycle concludes a five-year strategic plan initiated in 2021 that aimed to expand the undergraduate student body by 20% to 4,800 students. To accommodate this growth, a new residential college is slated to open in fall 2026.
Standardized Tests
In the FAQs section, the university clearly states that “Rice recommends first-year and transfer student applicants to undergraduate degree-seeking programs to submit SAT or ACT test scores, if available.” For the Class of 2027, around 52% of admitted students submitted SAT or ACT scores, suggesting that competitive results, such as a middle 50% SAT range of 740–800 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 770–800 in Math, can positively impact an applicant’s profile. However, in the same breath, it provides students the opportunity to tell the admission committee, in case they do not want their test scores used in their evaluation
At Rice, the admissions process takes a holistic approach, carefully considering each applicant within the context of their background, community, and school environment. Applicants are reviewed on every part of their application for admissions officers to gain a comprehensive understanding of who they are. The university does not consider a single academic metric, such as class rank, grade point average, or test scores.
Additionally, all applications undergo a committee-based evaluation, meaning at least two admission officers review and discuss each file to ensure a thoughtful assessment of every student’s strengths and potential.
Why you should consider Rice University
From engineering and natural sciences to social sciences, humanities, and architecture, Rice offers a rare combination of top-tier academics, a strong sense of community, and personalized opportunities. With a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Rice ensures close interaction with professors and abundant undergraduate research opportunities across disciplines. The university is also known for its unique residential college system, fostering a vibrant, inclusive campus life where students live, learn, and grow together.
Located in Houston, Texas, Rice provides immense cultural, professional, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Rice students have launched innumerable startups, conducting cutting-edge research at the Texas Medical Center, as well as engaged with the arts and global cuisines, Rice places you at the heart of it all.
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