Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Rochester , NY
The University of Rochester is a prestigious private research university located in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1850, it is one of the country's leading institutions for higher education and is known for its strong emphasis on research and interdisciplinary studies. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including humanities, sciences, engineering, business, and the arts.
Academics at the University of Rochester are characterized by a unique blend of liberal arts education and research opportunities. Students have access to world-class faculty members who are experts in their respective fields and are dedicated to providing a challenging and innovative learning environment. The university is particularly renowned for programs in optics, music, political science, and economics.
Apart from academics, the University of Rochester offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities and student organizations. The university is home to a diverse and inclusive community, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging students to explore their interests beyond the classroom. Additionally, the university is situated in a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage, providing students with ample opportunities for internships, networking, and engagement with the local community. Overall, the University of Rochester is an institution that values academic excellence, critical thinking, and community engagement, making it a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and intellectually stimulating education.
Located in Rochester, NY and set in an urban environment, University of Rochester is a private university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 40%. The freshman retention rate at University of Rochester is 90.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 85%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 5. The transfer application deadline is June 20.
Here are some latest data on important things to consider about University of Rochester.
Quick Facts
6,580
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$69,030
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
85%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to University of Rochester and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,570 in 2025. University of Rochester has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This eminent institution with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 19.1% and ACT scores 6%. 85.7% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 13.9% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 0.4% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 89.87 and 10.13 between 24-29.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 33 and the average GPA was 3.72. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Rochester; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 715 and an average SAT Math score of 752.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 5. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is June 20.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Rochester was 90.7%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 85%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Rochester in 2025 was 11,946.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 58. There was a total of 6,580 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 1,426 international students. The school reported to have a total of 80 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,801 male and 4,954 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Rochester.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,144, while the number of Black American students was 330. 525 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 274 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 6 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 180 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for University of Rochester.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Rochester? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $69,030 in 2025. University of Rochester is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,354.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,310.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of Rochester was $20,466 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $12,328, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,716.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 69,030 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,466 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,310 |
| Total Expense | $ 90,806 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at University of Rochester.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 681 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $60,879.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 2,866 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of Rochester is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,911. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $9,437,661, and state $2,918,047. The students of University of Rochester received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $141,120,784, and external in the amount of $3,867,018.
$17,163
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
405 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 104 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $9,437,661 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $2,332,316. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $26,722,298. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,642,311 USD.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Rochester was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 971. Out of that number, there were 593 men and 378 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of Rochester: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at University of Rochester.
It has a campus size of 707 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to recently gathered data, there are 285 open-membership organizations at University of Rochester. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 12 percent of male and 13 of female students are active in different organizations at University of Rochester. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Society of Undergraduate Biology Students, followed by Photography Club and Creative Arts Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Computer Science Undergraduate Council and Astronomy Club.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? University of Rochester publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Rochester offers a number of services necessary for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Rochester.
All in all, campus life at University of Rochester is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Rochester.
Career Counselling
At University of Rochester, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 66,198 USD.
$66,198
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY.
-
University of Rochester offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, the tuition for University of Rochester is 69,030 USD a year.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of Rochester is 40%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Rochester is 90.7%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
