There is no official scientific study of Rice Purity Test averages. The information below is based on widely reported self-submitted scores from Reddit, social media, and online forums. It should be treated as informal observation, not statistical fact.
The Broad Average Range
Based on thousands of self-reported scores shared publicly online, the most frequently cited ranges are:
| Group | Typical Score Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 13â15 | 88â100 | Very few experiences beyond basic romance |
| Ages 16â17 | 78â94 | Some dating and kissing; rarely more |
| College Freshmen (18â19) | 65â88 | Wide variation; many first-year students |
| College Upperclassmen (20â22) | 50â75 | More experiences; substances and sexual activity more common |
| Adults (23â30) | 40â70 | Broad range; depends heavily on lifestyle |
| Adults (30+) | 30â65 | Tends lower with more accumulated experiences |
These are informal observations from self-reported data. Individual scores vary enormously based on personal choices and circumstances.
Factors That Influence Your Score
Age
The single strongest predictor. Older people have had more time to accumulate experiences, so scores tend to be lower with age â all else being equal.
Cultural and religious background
People raised in conservative religious households often score higher (more pure) than those from more permissive environments, due to fewer experiences in the sexual and substance categories.
Social environment
People who went to party-heavy schools, lived in urban environments, or had large social networks tend to score lower due to more exposure to the test's listed situations.
Honesty of self-reporting
The test is self-graded. Social pressure (wanting to seem more experienced or more innocent) can push people to over- or under-report, skewing declared averages.
What Scores Look Like in Practice
College freshman
First year of college. Has been in one relationship, kissed, had some physical intimacy but not sexual intercourse. Has tried alcohol at one party. No substances or legal incidents.
College junior
Has had two relationships, is sexually active, drinks regularly at social events, has tried marijuana, and once got questioned by police for a noise complaint.
Adult in mid-20s
Has had several relationships, considerable sexual experience, regular alcohol use, tried a few substances, and has had minor legal incidents. Wide life experience across most categories.
Questions About Average Scores
No. Rice University has never published official statistics on average scores, and no large-scale scientific study of purity test scores has been conducted. All "average" figures you see online are informal and self-reported.
Comparison can be fun in a social context, but don't place too much weight on it. The "average" varies hugely by age, culture, and context. More importantly, your score reflects your unique life â not a deviation from some norm.
Some do, yes. Social contexts can push people toward either exaggerating experiences (to seem more adventurous) or under-reporting them (to seem more innocent). Since the test is self-graded with no verification, there's no way to detect dishonesty. This is why you shouldn't use others' public scores as precise benchmarks.