Rice University is a hard hitter when it comes to elite college admissions. And, like someone who knows their worth on the dating scene, they’re pretty selective! The majority of admitted students must graduate from their respective high schools with near-perfect grades and test scores to stand a chance of admission and bring a singular hook to the table.

After all, Rice is routinely flooded with applicants with stellar numbers on paper (for the Rice Class of 2027, 91% graduated in the top tenth of their high school’s graduating class), so it’s not only about having top grades and scores when seeking admission to this private research powerhouse located in Houston, Texas.

That said, what kind of GPA does a student need when applying to Rice? Is GPA everything in the Rice admissions process, or is there some room for academic variance?

Rice University Admissions Rate

First, just how difficult is it to get into Rice? For applicants to Rice’s Class of 2029, a record-low 7.75% earned admission. The year prior, for the Class of 2028, two out of every 25 students (8%) earned admission, and for the Class of 2027, 7.88% earned a spot in the incoming class. One thing is sure: these aren’t betting odds, so one had better have excellent grades to shore up their Rice application!

What is a Good GPA for Getting into Rice University?

GPA Percentage of Rice University Class of 2028

The following is the class rank breakdown of Rice’s Class of 2028, as reported in Rice’s 2024-25 Common Data Set (the most recent Common Data Set we have available). 

Assessment	Percent
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class	89%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class	96%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class	100%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class	0%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class	0%
Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted high school class rank:	0%

GPA Percentage of Rice University Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Rice’s Class of 2027:

Assessment	Percent
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class	91.4%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class	98%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class	99.8%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class	0.2%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class	0.2%
Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted high school class rank:	40%

GPA Percentage of Rice University Class of 2026

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Rice’s Class of 2026:

Assessment	Percent
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class	89%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class	97%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class	100%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class	0%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class	0%
Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted high school class rank:	42%

Further Context on GPAs of Rice University Students

While we await the official data, it’s safe to assume that most of those who secure a spot at Rice boast 4.0 GPAs or the occasional 3.9, while also including highly specialized extracurricular engagement and stellar letters of recommendation in their applications. These criteria can be found in the admissions process at most highly selective schools, and Rice is no exception. We at Ivy Coach would confidently speculate that all Rice admits to the Class of 2029 had a GPA over 2.5, 95% exceeding 3.5.

It’s important to remember that Rice’s admissions process is not solely based on grades. We understand that parents often focus on their child’s GPA, but it’s crucial to consider the broader context. Factors such as the high school attended, the rigor of the student’s coursework, their extracurriculars, essays, letters of recommendation, and more all play a significant role in the admissions decision. Your child’s GPA is just one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. 

Rice takes into account several holistic criteria when deliberating between students because there are, after all, plenty of lackluster students out there with lustrous grades!

Can I Get into Rice University with a Low GPA?

While it’s certainly possible to get into Rice with a low GPA, it’s improbable. However, some students do indeed slip through the cracks, although such students often meet other institutional needs (e.g., star quarterback for the football team, the children of major donors, etc.). But parents take heed: The average middle-class student who doesn’t have one of these special statuses will not merit lowered academic standards.

How Ivy Coach Can Gauge Your Child’s Chances at Rice University

If you’re interested in discerning if your child can get into Rice, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child can get into Rice with the help of Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers, but you’ll also receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.