Rice University: the complete school report for parents

What does Rice University actually weigh in admissions?

Rice University rates 9 of the 18 factors "Very Important": course rigor, GPA, test scores, the essay, extracurricular activities, recommendations, personal qualities, talent, class rank. It does not consider 1 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is Rice University's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What is the Rice University waitlist really like?

Rice University offered a place on its waiting list to 3,196 applicants and 2,204 accepted one. 66 were ultimately admitted. That is 3.0% of those who waited.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

Rice University admitted 7.5% of 1,675 transfer applicants, against 8.0% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 3.2.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

Rice University reports its early rounds below.

What does my child need to take in high school?

Rice University requires 16 academic units. A college-preparatory program is recommended. A GED is accepted.

What will Rice University actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $13,370 a year at Rice University after grants and scholarships, against a published in-state tuition of $71,170. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 100% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 74 merit awards averaging $34,586 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

12% of Rice University graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $26,491 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $117 a month in repayment. Rice University’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from Rice University pay off?

Graduates earn a median $89,718 ten years after entering, and $79,751 at six years. 88% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 87% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

$213,603 to $60,641, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at Rice University:

College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.

Will my child actually graduate?

97% of first-years return for a second year. 95% within six (2019 cohort). The rate holds up across income: 94.8% of Pell-grant recipients graduate within six years against 95.6% of everyone else, a gap of 0.8 points.

How big are the classes?

62% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 2% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 6:1, and 84% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

What is life at Rice University like?

4,807 undergraduates, 59% of first-years from out of state. 99% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 59% across all undergraduates. Greek life is small: 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women a sorority. 14% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $77,707.

What this means for your student

• Course rigor is rated Very Important here, so the senior-year schedule should hold its AP, IB or honors depth rather than lighten.
• Rice University rates test scores Very Important, so a score at or above its middle-50 range is close to expected rather than optional.
• The waitlist is live but thin: 66 of 2,204 who waited were admitted, about 3%.
• Its highest-earning major returns $213,603 five years out against $60,641 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about Rice University

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