This article will not tell you whether University of Rochester is "good" or "bad," or whether your child should apply there. No article can decide that. What I can do is clearly and plainly show you what official United States government data—reported by the university itself to the Department of Education's IPEDS system—say about what kind of institution this is, how much it costs, whom it admits, who stays, and who graduates. With that information in hand, you and your child can decide whether it is worth investigating further.
Think of it this way: knowing a university well is one of the three pieces you need to build a family plan. Only you have the other two—what your child wants and has accomplished, and what your family can and is willing to pay. Here, we examine the first piece in depth.
What kind of institution University of Rochester is
University of Rochester is a private, nonprofit university offering programs of four years or more. The Carnegie system—the way the government classifies United States schools according to what they do—places it among the country's doctoral universities with the highest level of research activity. In its undergraduate profile, Carnegie also places it in the most selective admissions group. And IPEDS confirms that a doctorate is, in fact, the highest level the institution reports offering, with programs extending through the graduate level.
Keep one important point in mind: the fact that the school reports offering graduate programs does not mean that the specific major your child is interested in exists, or that the undergraduate and graduate programs in that field are connected. You need to verify that directly with the university.
It is in Rochester, New York, within Monroe County and the city's metropolitan area. Its census code places it within a city, which tells you where it is but not what the daily commute is like. If your child were considering living at home and commuting, I recommend something very specific: drive the route yourself on a weekday at the time your child's classes would take place. The actual travel time is almost never what the map says.
There is an important nuance to understand about its residential character. The Carnegie classification based on 2019-20 data labels it a large and primarily nonresidential institution. That label applies when fewer than 25 out of every 100 undergraduate students lived in housing owned, controlled, or affiliated with the institution, or when fewer than half studied full time. The data do not clarify which of those two conditions was met, and—this is key—it does not mean there are no dormitories. In fact, as you will see later, the university does require certain students to live on campus. The Carnegie label is a broad institutional snapshot, not a description of a first-year student's daily life.
As for special designations, University of Rochester is not listed as a historically Black college or university (HBCU), tribal college or university, or land-grant institution. Of the 3,012 universities in this federal directory, 138 have at least one of those three designations; this institution is not among them. That does not indicate which students it serves best or how your child will feel on that campus. If you want to know what community and cultural support exist today, ask the university directly and, if possible, a current student.
A large school, with more graduate enrollment than it might seem
University of Rochester reported 12,160 students enrolled in the official fall count, placing it in the range of 10,000 to 19,999 students: a large school. Compared with the 941 selective private four-year schools included in this census, it is among the largest; at most one in ten schools in that group has more students.
But that large number conceals something you should know from the outset as a parent: of the total, 6,764 are undergraduate students and 5,396 are graduate students. In other words, almost half of the student community has already completed an undergraduate degree and is studying something more advanced. If your child is entering an undergraduate program, the number that truly matters is not the total count of 12,160, but the undergraduate count of 6,764. The total creates an inflated impression of size by including people who do not share the hallways, schedules, or social life of a first-year student.
As for who makes up that undergraduate population: 8 out of every 100 students are Hispanic or Latino, a small minority whose share is below the median compared with the 941 selective private schools in this census that report the data. The undergraduate population is almost evenly divided between men and women—53 out of every 100 are women—and students ages 25 to 64 are a minority, only 6 out of every 100. IPEDS does not report where incoming students came from for this school in 2023; that information simply is not available.
Having few Latino students neither removes the school from the list nor puts it on the list. It is a composition statistic, not a judgment. If your child will be one of the few, the right question to ask during a visit is: what student group, cultural center, or person in the admissions office speaks Spanish and can guide your child?
How the year is organized and how broad the academic offerings are
The academic calendar operates on semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each. In its official report, the university indicated that it accepts credit for AP exams, but it did not check the box for credit for life experience. It also reported enrolling high school students in college courses for credit outside a formal dual-enrollment program and treating them as regular students in those courses.
Accepting AP does not mean the university awards credit for every exam or that the credit will count toward your child's specific major. Before including anticipated time or financial savings from AP credits in your budget, request the course-equivalency evaluation in writing.
Regarding the student-to-instructional-staff ratio, University of Rochester reports 9 full-time-equivalent students for every full-time-equivalent instructor. Compared with the 941 similar schools in this census, it falls in the lowest quarter: its ratio is lower than those of three out of every four similar schools. It is one of the lowest aggregate ratios reported in this group. But be careful: this ratio alone does not measure actual faculty availability, class size, or individual attention. It does not guarantee small classes. If that matters to you, the specific question to ask is: how many students are in first-year classes?
As for the variety of majors: between July 2022 and June 2023, the university awarded 1,887 bachelor's degrees across 21 academic families (CIP). No family accounted for a large share: health professions had the most degrees, and even that family represented only 12 out of every 100 degrees awarded that year. Compared with 942 similar schools in this census, it falls in the quarter with the most academic families represented in its bachelor's-degree detail. In other words, the offerings are fairly distributed rather than concentrated in two or three flagship majors. But remember: 21 families with a row in the report do not mean 21 active majors or guarantee that every one of them has graduating students; a row may report zero degrees. Always verify the exact program that interests your child.
The academic pathways the university reports
Beyond its majors, University of Rochester reports specific structured opportunities: study abroad, preparation for teacher certification below the postsecondary level, the ability to complete preparation in certain teacher-specialization areas at the institution, and state approval of the program for initial teacher certification. If any of these pathways interests your child—especially if your child is considering teaching or a semester abroad—it is worth requesting current details directly from the university, because the federal report confirms that the opportunity exists, not how it operates today.
Getting into University of Rochester: what it requires and what admission really means
This is where many families feel the most anxiety, so let us proceed calmly and use the exact numbers.
University of Rochester does not have open admission. It reviews specific application components before saying yes. Of the nine admissions considerations that IPEDS records—not counting standardized tests or legacy status—it marked five as required: the high school record, completion of the college-preparatory course sequence required by the university, the personal essay, letters of recommendation, and an English-proficiency exam when applicable. In simple terms, this means your child has to write. The essay is not optional.
There are also components that are not required but that the university considers if you submit them: high school GPA, class rank, work experience, and whether a family member attended the university. The last of these—legacy status—is something your child cannot change. If it does not apply, it is not worth investing emotional energy there; it is better to focus that energy on what is within your child's control: the essay, academic record, and letters.
The published undergraduate application fee is $50.
Now, the question almost every parent wants answered first: how difficult is it to get in? In the 2023 cycle, University of Rochester received 21,680 first-time applications and offered admission to 7,773. That is 36 out of every 100 applicants. Compared with the 942 selective private schools in this census, it falls on the low side: seven out of ten of those schools, or more, accepted a higher percentage of their applicants. On the other side of that calculation are 13,907 applicants who did not receive an offer. It is a selective figure, although this statistic covers the school as a whole; we do not know how many students are admitted to each specific major, so if your child is pursuing a particular program, request that number directly from admissions.
Here is a figure that surprises many families: out of every 100 admitted students, only 20 ultimately enrolled in the fall of 2023. The other 80 had an offer in hand and did not accept it. Compared with the 942 schools in the census, this proportion is among the most common, neither particularly high nor low. Do not read it as a mark against the school: the federal record does not say why each person made that choice. Above all, what other people decided tells you nothing about what your child will be offered. What truly matters is waiting for the letter showing the net price—what the year would actually cost—before deciding whether this school stays on the list.
Regarding standardized tests, the policy is "test optional." The SAT and ACT are not required; if your child submits them, they are considered, and if not, the application remains active just the same. Of the first-time students who enrolled, 26 out of every 100 submitted SAT scores. Among them, the middle half scored between 690 and 750 in reading and writing, and between 710 and 790 in mathematics. That range describes only those who submitted scores and enrolled, not all applicants, and it does not prove that a score was used to admit anyone. The 690 is not a minimum, and the 750 guarantees nothing.
Regarding transfers: among the first-time, full-time class that entered in 2017, transferring was uncommon. Only 35 students transferred without completing the degree there within 150% of normal time: 2 out of every 100. Compared with the 542 schools in the census that report this statistic, it falls on the low side: most of that group saw a larger proportion leave. Separately, in the fall of 2023, 98 undergraduate students entered this school for the first time after studying at another institution. This number does not indicate how many courses were accepted for transfer credit; request that information in writing, with the course list in hand, before your child transfers.
The list price: what it costs before any aid
This is where it is worth sitting down and proceeding calmly, because the numbers are large.
For the 2023–24 academic year, University of Rochester reported a cost of attendance of $85,962 for first-time, full-time undergraduate students living on campus. This budget is the same for everyone regardless of state residency—unlike at a public university, there is no lower "in-state" rate here.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $64,348 |
| On-campus housing and food | $18,924 |
| Books and supplies | $1,310 |
| Other estimated expenses (transportation, laundry, etc.) | Remainder up to $85,962 |
Compared with 888 similar schools in this census, this cost of attendance is among the highest in the group. Put plainly, it is expensive.
But—and this is the most important point in this entire section—this number is not your family's bill. It is the list price before any grants or aid. It is used to calculate financial aid; it is not what you would pay. The only way to know the actual number is to complete the FAFSA and wait for the written financial aid offer. Until you have it in hand, you do not know what this school costs your family.
What families actually pay, according to income
At University of Rochester, among 137 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $13,743. Among 102 students in the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $21,177; among 257 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $48,528. For dependent students, the band combines their parents' income with their own.
There is a difference of $34,785 between the average for the lowest-income band (137 students) and the average for the highest-income band (257 students). These are group averages, not a prediction of your family's price. Among first-year students who received any grant or scholarship, the average was $40,900.
Among the 937 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this statistic with the same time coverage, this school falls in the least expensive quarter for the lowest-income families after grants and scholarships are subtracted. That does not mean it will be inexpensive for your family. It is a factor to weigh when deciding where to apply.
Because the price changes so much from one income band to another, identifying yours correctly is the first step. The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at public institutions, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average with grant aid, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships. The financial aid letter sent specifically to you is what matters.
Grants, Pell, and loans: where the money comes from
Aid that does not have to be repaid—grants and scholarships—reached 72 out of every 100 degree-seeking students. That is more than half, but not everyone. Compared with the 942 selective private schools in this census, University of Rochester falls in the quarter where grant aid reaches fewer students. Among those who received it, the average for the year was $40,475.
The Pell Grant—federal aid specifically for students with demonstrated financial need—reached only 17 out of every 100. That means at least 55 out of every 100 students received aid that was not Pell, but instead came from another source: institutional, state, or another program.
An average grant of $40,475 is real money, but it is not a price. What determines how much you will pay is the number left after aid, and that number is not shown in this overall average: it must be requested school by school and family by family.
Regarding loans: 40 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal student loan in the 2022-23 academic year. This count includes the entire undergraduate population, not only degree-seeking students. Among those who received a loan, the average amount for the year was $4,162. Compared with the 942 schools in the census, University of Rochester falls on the low side: seven out of ten schools in that group, or more, had a higher proportion of students with debt.
This student-loan figure of 40% tells you something important: some young people go through the year without debt, while others borrow. This overall percentage does not determine which group your child will be in; the financial aid letter your child receives does. And one detail should not be overlooked: this average of $4,162 covers only one year and only federal loans in the student's name. It does not include Parent PLUS loans that parents sometimes end up signing for, bank debt, or credit cards. Nor does it represent the total debt with which a student graduates after four years; that number is not in this report and must be calculated by adding each year.
As for payment options, the university reports a tuition installment plan and institutional participation in a Promise program.
Campus life, athletics, ROTC, and support services
If your child enters University of Rochester as a full-time first-year student, living on campus is not optional: the school requires it for full-time students entering a degree program for the first time. It also offers meal plans, although the number of meals per week varies according to the plan selected. The maximum capacity of institution-controlled housing is 5,618 students, on or off campus.
This has a direct practical consequence for the family budget: if you compare this school's price with that of another school where living on campus is optional, include room and food here from the outset. They cannot be removed from the calculation.
Regarding ROTC, the university reported offering the opportunity in all three branches—Army, Navy, and Air Force. That is not common: of the 3,012 universities in this directory, only 135 indicate all three branches. But that designation does not confirm that the program is conducted on this specific campus, or confirm capacity, scholarships, or requirements. Ask about each branch separately before building a plan around ROTC.
In athletics, University of Rochester competes at the intercollegiate level and is affiliated with the NCAA (not with the other associations named in the report). The institution confirms NCAA or NAIA membership in football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field. This information does not identify the division, current season, or whether an athletic scholarship is available. If athletics matters in your child's plan, write directly to the coach for that sport and request a response in writing.
The university also offers distance education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the fall count, only 4 out of every 100 undergraduate students took all their classes at a distance; the other 96 took at least one class in person. The university reported having at least one complete program that can be finished at a distance, but the data do not confirm that the program exists specifically at the undergraduate level. Confirm the level and major before assuming anything.
The library operates with paid staff, and its annual spending exceeded the threshold of $100,000 recorded by the government. It has physical and digital collections and participates in interlibrary lending. That threshold is only a floor; it does not guarantee that specific databases exist for your child's major. Ask about them by program name.
Finally, the institution reports these services: combined academic and career counseling, employment services for current students, placement services upon program completion, participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a point of contact for veterans and military families, a student veterans' organization, and a disability-services webpage. The fact that these services are reported confirms that they exist on paper; it does not guarantee their quality or actual effectiveness. You learn that by speaking with people who already use them.
Who stays and who graduates
For many families, this is the most important question of all: if my child enrolls, how likely is it that my child will finish?
Of the cohort of first-time, full-time, bachelor's-degree-seeking students who entered in the fall of 2022—1,620 people—1,499 met the official retention criterion: they were still enrolled or had already completed the degree one year later. That is 93 out of every 100. Compared with the 930 selective private schools in this census, University of Rochester is among those retaining the largest share of their cohort: nine out of ten schools in that group retained an equal or smaller proportion.
Keep one nuance in mind: that 93% combines those who remain enrolled with those who have already graduated. The report does not separate those two groups, nor does it say what happened to the 121 students outside that outcome.
Regarding graduation: the class that began bachelor's-degree programs in 2017—1,540 full-time, first-time students—reached this outcome six years later: 1,301 had a degree in hand. That is 84 out of every 100. At four years, the figure was already 77 out of every 100, only 7 points below the final six-year result. Compared with the 920 schools in the census, it is among those graduating the largest share: nine out of ten schools in that group reported an equal or smaller proportion.
Of the remainder of that same cohort of 1,540: none completed a program of less than four years here, 35 transferred without completing and subsequently enrolled at another institution, 14 remained enrolled without completing within the time limit, and 190 fell into the federal "no longer enrolled" category—a category that does not state the reason and may include people who finished after the measured time limit.
And here is the hard truth, stated plainly: a high percentage like this 84% does not mean your child will graduate. It is what happened to the class that entered in 2017, not a personal promise. What is within your control as a parent is making sure your child enters with credits in order and knows, from the first semester, who the academic advisor is and when registration opens for courses in the major.
There is a third, still broader measure: the eight-year outcome. Of the cohort that entered between July 2015 and June 2016—1,519 undergraduate students, including first-time students and those who already had prior postsecondary experience—by the August 2023 reporting date, 87 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from this school. Among students who specifically received a Pell Grant, the figure was 84 out of every 100, four points below the group without Pell. Compared with the 935 schools in the census, it is among those awarding credentials to the largest share within eight years.
This number does not predict an individual's outcome either. It describes what happened to that specific cohort. If you want to explore further, it is worth asking the university directly about current program support and the outcomes of more recent classes.
What this article cannot tell you
We have no data here about what happens after graduation: salaries, employment, job placement, or the debt a student actually carries upon finishing in four or six years. That part of the story requires another source and is not authorized in this article. If it matters to you—and it probably does—it is worth asking the university directly and consulting sources specializing in postgraduate outcomes.
Putting the pieces together
You now know, in considerable depth, one of the three pieces you need to make a decision: what kind of institution University of Rochester is, what it requires for admission, its list price, what families at different income levels ultimately pay, and how often its students stay and graduate. It is a large, selective university with a high list price but comparatively generous aid for lower-income families after grants and scholarships are subtracted, high retention and graduation rates relative to similar schools, and mandatory housing in the first year.
Now you need to combine this information with what your child wants to study and has accomplished so far, and with what your family can and is willing to pay. A real plan comes from that combination—not from any single number.
If you live nearby and your child could live at home, first check whether on-campus housing is mandatory for your child, because that changes the budget from day one. If the essay is where your child gets stuck, that is a reason to start early, because it is not optional here. And if money is the central concern, do not reject or choose this school based on the price of $85,962: complete the FAFSA, wait for the aid letter with the actual net price, and decide using that number, not the list price.
You are not alone in this. It is a major decision with many pieces, but every piece you understand well is one less piece that will surprise you later.
Source: The information in this article comes from data reported by University of Rochester to the United States Department of Education's IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), primarily from the 2022-23 and 2023-24 cycles, except where a different period is indicated. Best College Aid does not represent University of Rochester or the United States government, and this article does not replace official information provided directly by the university.