Is Rice University harder to get into than Texas A&M University?

Yes. Rice University is substantially harder to get into overall than Texas A&M for undergraduate admission. Rice has a much smaller entering class, receives applications from a highly national and international pool, and admits a very limited share of applicants. Texas A&M is also selective, especially for certain programs, but its larger undergraduate enrollment and Texas-focused admission pathways make admission more attainable for many qualified in-state students.

Rice tends to suit applicants with an exceptionally strong academic record in the most rigorous courses available, along with distinctive depth outside the classroom, such as advanced research, major artistic work, sustained community impact, or unusual intellectual achievement. Strong grades and scores alone do not make admission predictable because Rice evaluates applicants in a highly selective holistic process.

Texas A&M can be an excellent fit for Texas students seeking a large public-university environment, extensive engineering, business, agriculture, and STEM options, strong school spirit, and a broader range of admission outcomes.

For overall admissions difficulty, treat Rice as a high reach even with outstanding credentials. Texas A&M may range from likely to reach depending on class rank, curriculum, grades, intended major, and residency, with competitive majors such as engineering and business often requiring a stronger profile than admission to the university alone.