University of Rochester: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Rochester, New York · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional (AP/IB accepted)
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- 21,609
- Applicants
- 9,056
- Admitted42%
- 1,231
- Enrolled
- 14%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Selective42% admittedRanked #49 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #78 (tie), Business Programs #58 (tie), Computer Science #57 (tie), Nursing #56 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Rochester (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Rochester a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Rochester against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Rochester is a private nonprofit university in Rochester, New York that admits about 42% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $29,278 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Rochester is a private institution located in Rochester, New York with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Rochester admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 42%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1450 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $29,278 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Rochester?
56% of enrolled students at University of Rochester had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.73, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does University of Rochester weight in admissions?
University of Rochester reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
4- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
Important
5- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Talent/ability
- Level of applicant's interest
Considered
7- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
2- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores University of Rochester typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 700. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1400 |
| 50th percentile | 1450 |
| 75th percentile | 1510 |
| % submitting SAT | 15.7% |
| 25th percentile | 31 |
| 50th percentile | 33 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 6.4% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-flexible: AP, IB or other exam results can stand in for the SAT or ACT.
- • Test-optional, or 'test-flexible': applicants may submit SAT, ACT or other exams such as AP/IB instead.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Rochester's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
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 | 84.6% |
| Top 25% of class | 95.1% |
| Top 50% of class | 99.2% |
| % submitting class rank | 32% |
How much does University of Rochester actually cost?
Published tuition is $67,080 for in-state students and $67,080 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,792 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $29,278 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $29,278 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 97% |
| Average need-based grant | $67,488 |
| Average merit award, no financial need260 first-year students received one | $16,073 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 41% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $30,785 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Rochester
| Regular deadline | 1/5 |
| Notification date | 4/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 5 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 42% |
Will my child graduate from University of Rochester?
These predict outcomes at University of Rochester better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Rochester
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Rochester, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Biology, General. Across all programs, University of Rochester confers roughly 1,280 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $92,348 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 243 | $92,348 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 218 | n/a |
| Biology, General | 183 | $79,479 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 174 | $67,923 |
| Computer Science | 161 | n/a |
| Music | 128 | $34,412 |
| Economics | 103 | $102,906 |
| Mathematics | 70 | $119,738 |
Is University of Rochester safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Rochester disclosed 53 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 11 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Rochester?
About 71% of undergraduates at University of Rochester live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 8% of men join a fraternity and 11% 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 University of Rochester
Common questions parents ask about University of Rochester
What GPA do I need for University of Rochester?
56% of enrolled students at University of Rochester had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.73, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Rochester typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 730–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 700. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.
How much does University of Rochester actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Rochester after grants and scholarships is $29,278 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $67,080. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Rochester realistic for my child?
University of Rochester admits 42% of applicants, so 730–790 SAT Math is target range and below 730 is a reach. Then check the $29,278 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Rochester?
University of Rochester accepts about 42% of applicants out of roughly 21,609 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is University of Rochester test-optional?
Yes. University of Rochester is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. It is also test-flexible: AP, IB or other exam results can be sent instead of the SAT or ACT.
What is the graduation rate at University of Rochester?
About 83% of students at University of Rochester graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at University of Rochester?
University of Rochester's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 42%, compared with its overall rate of 42%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does University of Rochester look for in applicants?
University of Rochester rates course rigor, GPA, extracurricular activities and character and personal qualities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Rochester a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Rochester is a private nonprofit institution located in Rochester, New York.
What are the most popular majors at University of Rochester?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Rochester by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods and Biology, General. The school awards about 1,280 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Rochester safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Rochester reported 53 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.4 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 University of Rochester?
At University of Rochester, 71% of undergraduates live on campus, 8% of men are in fraternities, 11% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Rochester, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers