University of Rochester

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71.2
College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
63.6
Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
78.7
Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.9
Publisher Ratings
82
U.S. News - National Universities
72.6
Wallethub
67.6
Washington Monthly National
51.2
Wall Street Journal
44.5
Forbes
Student Reviews
97.6
U.S. News - Reviews
78.8
Grad Reports
72.9
Niche
65.6
My Plan
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
39%
Percent Admitted
75%
4-year Graduation Rate
12,197
Enrollment
9.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$40,207
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$61,678
In-State Tuition and Fees
$61,678
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable

The University of Rochester, a private 4-year school, is located in Rochester, NY near Lake Ontario. Set along a bend in the Genesee River, the 200 acre “River Campus” contains most of the academic buildings. The main buildings are centered around Eastman Quadrangle and are in the Greek Revival architectural style; additional nearby campuses are the Medical Center, Eastman School of Music and South Campus in Brighton (just south of Rochester). Founded in 1850 as a Baptist sponsored institution, after Colgate University was prevented from moving to Rochester. The University formally went co-ed in 1900 (previously, women had taken classes as ‘visitors’ in the 1890s). Among the many notable alumni who made their mark in research, academia and government are five Nobel Prize winners and four Pulitzer Prize winners.

Academic Programs

The University of Rochester is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers Bachelor’s Degrees, post-baccalaureate Certificates, Master’s Degrees, post-masters Certificates and Doctorates in a multitude of fields. Presently, there is a limited offering of online programs, including Certificates and a MBA program. Noted for many fields including Healthcare (Nursing, Medical Education and Dentistry), Music and Teacher Education, the largest programs on campus are in Social Sciences, Healthcare, Biology/BioMed and Engineering. The University is comprised of eight colleges and schools: School of Arts and Sciences, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Eastman School of Music, Warner Graduate School of Education, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing and Simon Business School. The Rochester Curriculum—unique in higher education—has no required subjects. You build your own path and learn what you love. Per the Mission Statement, “Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better.”

Student Life

There are over 6200 undergraduate students enrolled in the University of Rochester, most of whom live on campus in a wide variety of residences, ranging from traditional dormitories to suites and apartments as well as Greek. The University sponsors over 200 clubs and student organizations including club sports and intramurals. For the varsity athlete, the dandelion yellow and rochester blue Yellowjackets, led by Rocky the Yellowjacket, field teams in 14 sports and participate in NCAA Division III competition. Calendar traditions include Yellowjacket Weekend in the Fall to start the semester, Winterfest Weekend and Dandelion Day (D-Day), a festival around Spring Finals. Students learn the core values of the university, “Founded as “an institution of the highest order” and guided by the motto Meliora or Ever Better, the University of Rochester will help solve the greatest challenges of the 21st century” by: Accelerating our progress in sciences, engineering, social sciences, health science, business, and music; Creating innovative connections among education, humanities, music, the social sciences, science, engineering, and health science; Embracing our leadership position in Rochester and the nation by making our community a model for partnership among academic, civic, cultural, health care, and business organizations.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.