University of Rochester: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Rochester, New York · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
40%
21,384 applicants
Median SAT
1470
Mid 50: 1420–1500
In-state tuition
$67,080
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$29,278
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Rochester is a private nonprofit university in Rochester, New York that admits about 40% 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 85% 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 40%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1470 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?

55% of enrolled students at University of Rochester had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.72, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
21.8%
3.75–3.99
33.3%
3.50–3.74
24.4%
3.25–3.49
14.3%
3.00–3.24
5.3%
2.50–2.99
0.8%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Rochester.

What does University of Rochester weight in admissions?

University of Rochester reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important4 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character/personal qualities
Important5 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Talent/ability
  • Level of applicant's interest

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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1420
50th percentile1470
75th percentile1500
% submitting SAT19%
ACT Composite
25th percentile32
50th percentile33
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT6%
Current testing policy
  • 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 class71%
Top 25% of class93%
Top 50% of class100%
% submitting class rank18%

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 — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$69,030
Room and board$20,698
Average net price (after aid)$29,278
Application fee$50 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Rochester

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 5
Notification dateApril 1
Reply deadlineMay 2
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 5
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)38%

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

Freshman retention
90.7%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
74.6%
finished on time
6-year graduation
85.4%
finished within 6 years

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

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing243$92,348
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods218
Biology, General183$79,479
Research and Experimental Psychology174$67,923
Computer Science161
Music128$34,412
Economics103$102,906
Mathematics70$119,738
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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

Total offenses
53
8.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
11
1.74 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
17
2.69 per 1,000
Burglary
9
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 6,331 enrolled.

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 10% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
71%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
8%
of men
In sororities
10%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Rochester.

Other colleges in New York parents ask about

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Common questions parents ask about University of Rochester

What GPA do I need for University of Rochester?

55% of enrolled students at University of Rochester had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.72, according to its 2024-2025 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 40% 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 40% of applicants out of roughly 21,384 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is University of Rochester test-optional?

Yes. University of Rochester 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 University of Rochester?

About 85% of students at University of Rochester graduate within six years, and 75% finish in four 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 38%, compared with its overall rate of 40%. 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, 10% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Rochester, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers