To select a rate for a transmitter in a communication system, a receiver obtains a channel response estimate and a received SINR estimate for the transmitter, e.g., based on a pilot received from the transmitter. The receiver computes a hypothesized SINR for the transmitter based on the channel response estimate and the received SINR estimate. The receiver then selects a rate for the transmitter based on (1) the hypothesized SINR and (2) characterized statistics of noise and interference at the receiver for the transmitter, which may be given by a probability density function (PDF) of SINR loss with respect to the hypothesized SINR. A look-up table of rate versus hypothesized SINR may be generated a priori for the PDF of SINR loss. The receiver may then apply the hypothesized SINR for the transmitter to the look-up table, which then provides the rate for the transmitter.