Rice University SAT & ACT Scores
At Rice, enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class who sent the SAT had a median of 1540 and a middle-half range of 1510–1560. Those who sent the ACT scored 34–36. Rice admitted 8% of 36,791 applicants. For fall 2027 entry, the SAT and ACT are not required. Rice recommends sending scores if you have them, and applicants without scores still get full consideration.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Rice University's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is Rice University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Rice recommends but does not require the SAT or ACT; applicants who do not submit scores still receive full consideration.
Superscoring. Rice University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Rice University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2025 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Rice adopted a test-optional policy during the pandemic. Starting with the 2024–25 admission cycle, it began recommending, but not requiring, that applicants submit the SAT or ACT. Rice has no preference between the two tests, and if you send both, it considers the one that best supports your application. It superscores both tests by taking your highest score on each section across all test dates. The SAT essay and ACT writing are not considered, and the ACT science section is optional. Students at U.S. high schools may self-report scores, and those who enroll must send official scores. Once you opt in to score consideration, you cannot opt out or remove scores.
Rice University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1510–1560, and the median was 1540.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1510 | 1540 | 1560 |
| Reading & Writing | 740 | 760 | 770 |
| Math | 760 | 790 | 800 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 59% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
The median SAT among enrolled Rice first-years who sent scores in the fall 2025 entering class was 1540. A quarter scored 1510 or below, and a quarter scored 1560 or above. The middle half scored 740–770 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 760–800 on Math.
Because Rice does not require testing, these ranges describe only enrolled students who chose to send scores. In the fall 2025 entering class, 59% of enrolled students submitted the SAT and 24% submitted the ACT. Students who applied without scores are not part of these figures.
Rice's admission officers say they cannot advise on whether a particular score should be sent. One way to decide is to compare your superscore with this range. A superscore near or above 1540 matches the middle of the students who sent the SAT, while a score below 1510 would fall in the bottom quarter of that group.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Rice University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 34–36 on the ACT, with a median of 35.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| English | 35 | — | 36 |
| Math | 33 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 24% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
Enrolled Rice first-years who sent the ACT had a median composite of 35, and the middle half scored 34–36. The middle half scored 35–36 in English and 33–35 in Math. In the fall 2025 entering class, 24% of enrolled students submitted an ACT score.
Rice superscores the ACT the same way it does the SAT, using your highest section scores across all test dates, and it encourages you to report all of your scores so it can recombine them. The science section is optional and the writing section is not considered. A composite of 36 or higher matches the top quarter of enrolled students who sent the ACT.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Rice University acceptance rate
Extremely competitive: 8% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants36,791
- Admitted2,948
- Acceptance rate8%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Decision I (November 1) and Early Decision II (January 4), both binding, plus Regular Decision; no Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Rice University 2025–26 Common Data Set.
Rice offers two binding early plans, Early Decision I and Early Decision II, along with Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.
What to aim for
If you plan to send scores to Rice, a practical target is a superscored SAT of 1560 or higher, or an ACT of 36 or higher. Scores near the median of 1540 SAT or 35 ACT are typical for enrolled students who submitted. If your scores are well below 1510 on the SAT or 34 on the ACT, Rice's policy lets you apply without them and still receive full consideration.
Rice treats test scores as one factor of many in a holistic review. It also reads your transcript and course rigor, a counselor letter and two teacher letters, and your Rice writing supplement, and it recommends that first-year applicants request an optional interview. Decide whether to opt in to score consideration before you apply, since Rice does not let you remove scores once you opt in.
How Rice University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 7.5% | 1540 | 1520–1560 | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Amherst College | 7.7% | 1510 | 1470–1540 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| Rice University | 8% | 1540 | 1510–1560 | 34–36 | Test-optional |
| Williams College | 8% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| Colby College | 8% | — | 1430–1520 | 33–34 | Test-optional |
| Cornell University | 8.4% | 1530 | 1490–1550 | 33–35 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Rice University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Rice recommends but does not require the SAT or ACT; applicants who do not submit scores still receive full consideration. Rice University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at Rice University?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1540 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1510–1560, so a quarter scored 1560 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for Rice University?
A score at or above 1560 puts you in the top quarter of Rice University's enrolled first-years, and 1510–1560 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Rice University?
Rice University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 34–36, with a median of 35 (fall 2025 entering class). A 36 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Rice University's acceptance rate?
Rice University admitted 8% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (2,948 of 36,791), which makes it extremely competitive.
How many Rice University students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 59% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 24% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at Rice University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.