Rochester Institute of Technology: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Rochester, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- Early Action
- 31,565
- Applicants
- 22,439
- Admitted71%
- 2,959
- Enrolled
- 13%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Moderately selective71% admittedRanked #95 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #57 (tie), Business Programs #58 (tie), Computer Science #52 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Rochester Institute of Technology (see the source), read on 2026-09-16.
Is Rochester Institute of Technology a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Rochester Institute of Technology against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit university in Rochester, New York that admits about 71% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $34,906 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer Science, Computer Software and Media Applications and Computer Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 72% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private institution located in Rochester, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Rochester Institute of Technology admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 71%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1380 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $34,906 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Rochester Institute of Technology?
69% of enrolled students at Rochester Institute of Technology had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does Rochester Institute of Technology weight in admissions?
Rochester Institute of Technology reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
5- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Character/personal qualities
Considered
7- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- First generation status
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
4- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores Rochester Institute of Technology typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1310 |
| 50th percentile | 1380 |
| 75th percentile | 1440 |
| % submitting SAT | 41% |
| 25th percentile | 30 |
| 50th percentile | 32 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 8% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 40% |
| Top 25% of class | 63% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
| % submitting class rank | 39% |
How much does Rochester Institute of Technology actually cost?
Published tuition is $59,274 for in-state students and $59,274 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,142 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $34,906 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $63,508 |
| Room and board | $17,370 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $34,906 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 92% |
| Average need-based grant | $46,429 |
| Average merit award, no financial need756 first-year students received one | $24,975 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 60% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $44,969 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Rochester Institute of Technology
| Notification date | 3/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 1 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 73% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology?
These predict outcomes at Rochester Institute of Technology better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Rochester Institute of Technology
The most popular undergraduate programs at Rochester Institute of Technology, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Computer Software and Media Applications and Computer Engineering. Across all programs, Rochester Institute of Technology confers roughly 1,082 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer Science program report a median income of about $136,522 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 186 | $136,522 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 152 | $99,801 |
| Computer Engineering | 149 | $122,991 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 148 | $91,471 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 122 | $55,746 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 120 | n/a |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 113 | $51,613 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 92 | $45,964 |
Is Rochester Institute of Technology safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Rochester Institute of Technology disclosed 41 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 33 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Rochester Institute of Technology?
About 51% of undergraduates at Rochester Institute of Technology live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 4% of men join a fraternity and 2% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in New York parents ask about
Next steps for Rochester Institute of Technology
Common questions parents ask about Rochester Institute of Technology
What GPA do I need for Rochester Institute of Technology?
69% of enrolled students at Rochester Institute of Technology had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Rochester Institute of Technology typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 650–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–33.
How much does Rochester Institute of Technology actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Rochester Institute of Technology after grants and scholarships is $34,906 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $59,274. Budget against the net figure.
Is Rochester Institute of Technology realistic for my child?
Rochester Institute of Technology admits 71% of applicants, so 650–740 SAT Math is target range and below 650 is a reach. Then check the $34,906 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Rochester Institute of Technology?
Rochester Institute of Technology accepts about 71% of applicants out of roughly 31,565 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Rochester Institute of Technology test-optional?
Yes. Rochester Institute of Technology is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Rochester Institute of Technology?
About 72% of students at Rochester Institute of Technology graduate within six years, and 29% finish in four years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Rochester Institute of Technology?
Rochester Institute of Technology's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 73%, compared with its overall rate of 71%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Rochester Institute of Technology look for in applicants?
Rochester Institute of Technology rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Rochester Institute of Technology a public or private school, and where is it located?
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit institution located in Rochester, New York.
What are the most popular majors at Rochester Institute of Technology?
The largest undergraduate majors at Rochester Institute of Technology by annual graduates are Computer Science, Computer Software and Media Applications and Computer Engineering. The school awards about 1,082 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Rochester Institute of Technology safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Rochester Institute of Technology reported 41 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Rochester Institute of Technology?
At Rochester Institute of Technology, 51% of undergraduates live on campus, 4% of men are in fraternities, 2% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Rochester Institute of Technology, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers