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AlmaSpire

Rochester, NY · Private · 6,331 undergraduates · urban

University of Rochester

Selective

Rochester replaces conventional distribution requirements with themed course clusters, preserving breadth while letting students determine the subjects.

Institutional profile

Highly regarded Strong in academic standing, and solid in career outcomes.
Academic Strong Affordability Solid Career Solid Mobility Steady Experience Steady
Academic standing Strong
Affordability Solid
Career outcomes Solid
Mobility Steady
Student experience Steady
Admission
35.9% admitted

21,680 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Varies across five income ranges

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
88.2%

$79,042 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets University of Rochester apart

Academic design

Students complete a major plus three-course thematic clusters in other academic divisions instead of following a traditional general-education checklist.

Campus pattern

River Campus undergraduates may audition for individual, credit-bearing music lessons through the Eastman School of Music.

A signature opportunity

Rochester Curriculum clusters.

Can I get in?

35.9% admitted

Eastman School applicants use a separate application and complete discipline-specific audition or portfolio requirements outside ordinary River Campus admission.

Recent applicant pool

21,680

About 36 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 35.9%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1400–1540
13001600
ACT middle 50%31–34
2936

Of admitted students, 26% submitted an SAT, and 10% submitted an ACT. Because ACT scores came from few admitted students, the range describes that self-selected group rather than the full class.

Entered with a 4.0 GPA21.8%

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for University of Rochester, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What University of Rochester weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

Students complete a major plus three-course thematic clusters in other academic divisions instead of following a traditional general-education checklist.

02

Make institutional fit specific

Rochester replaces conventional distribution requirements with themed course clusters, preserving breadth while letting students determine the subjects.

03

Use the application route carefully

Eastman School applicants use a separate application and complete discipline-specific audition or portfolio requirements outside ordinary River Campus admission.

04

Give commitments a clear through-line

Activities and recommendations should show sustained contribution, not a collection of disconnected credentials.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

Eastman School applicants use a separate application and complete discipline-specific audition or portfolio requirements outside ordinary River Campus admission.

Early DecisionNov 1
Early Decision IIJan 5
Regular DecisionJan 5
Fee and waiver$50 application fee

Fee waiver: accepted

Major and program admission

Some fields have their own entry path.

The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.

Performing and visual artsAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

NursingAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$96,022
Average annual cost after aid$29,000
Affordability profileSolid

College funding

Scholarships and financial aid

Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.

Open financial aid plan

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at University of Rochester

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.

Complete within 8 years88.2%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one91.6%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$79,042

Reported 10 years after enrollment

Academic portfolio

Largest bachelor’s fields

How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.

Biology, General

Recent graduates230
Median earnings$54,937

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Recent graduates201
Median earnings$102,625

Admits separately

Research and Experimental Psychology

Recent graduates173
Median earnings$65,000

Computer Science

Recent graduates141
Median earnings$155,464

Admits separately

What is campus life like?

University of Rochester beyond the classroom

River Campus undergraduates may audition for individual, credit-bearing music lessons through the Eastman School of Music.

Academics

A defining academic feature

Students complete a major plus three-course thematic clusters in other academic divisions instead of following a traditional general-education checklist.

Housing

Read the residential pattern

Compare the residential setup and surrounding area with the day-to-day routine you want.

Dining

Daily life follows the campus map

Dining and nearby options matter most when they support the academic, residential, and social routine you expect.

Campus rhythm

What shapes an ordinary week

River Campus undergraduates may audition for individual, credit-bearing music lessons through the Eastman School of Music.

Clubs & interests

Turn a direction into participation

The strongest opportunities connect a clear academic or personal direction to real work beyond class.

Social life

Find the right everyday fit

River Campus undergraduates may audition for individual, credit-bearing music lessons through the Eastman School of Music.

6,331 undergraduatesMid-Atlanticurban setting99% of first-year students live on campus