University of Rochester: Admissions, Financial Aid & Campus Life

Looking for a top university that excels in both academics and research? Look no further than the University of Rochester! Started in 1850, this private research university provides students with a world-class education in a supportive and intellectual environment.

Unlike other universities, the University of Rochester stands out for its academic programs with a flexible curriculum. This allows you to pursue your interests and tailor your education. So, it is important to know the details before admission.

Let's see everything — from University of Rochester rankings to student life, scholarships, and career prospects. Get ready to unlock your future!

About the University of Rochester

Founded in 1850 by a group of Baptists, the University of Rochester has a long history and has been located at various sites, including the US Hotel, Prince Street, and now the River Campus. It’s a private university that has moved away from its religious roots. With its beautiful campus and faculty, Rochester University has become one of the top research universities in the US.

This university isn’t just another school—it’s where innovation, research, and personalized education come together. It’s home to the River Campus, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Eastman School of Music, and the Memorial Art Gallery. The Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, offers a wide range of arts, sciences, engineering, business, and medicine programs.

Why Choose the University of Rochester?

When looking for the perfect university, finding the right fit involves weighing many factors. It has several unique characteristics that make it stand out as a great choice for higher education.

1. Flexible Curriculum

Rochester’s curriculum gives students the freedom to design their own academic experience. Beyond a primary writing course and major requirements, students only need to complete two “clusters” - groups of three related courses from academic divisions outside their major. This means it’s easy to try new things or even add a minor with just two more courses.

2. Take Five Program

This amazing program allows students to try new things after they’ve completed their major requirements. The main feature of the Take Five program is that you do not have to pay the tuition fees for the additional course. Few universities offer this opportunity to keep learning without additional tuition, so it’s a real differentiator for Rochester.

3. Research Opportunities

With research across 60 different centers and institutes, Rochester goes beyond traditional STEM research. Students can research lasers, music, and sound in virtual reality, working with professors in almost any field.

4. UR Medicine

The medical center provides pre-med students with research opportunities, clinical volunteering, and connections with medical professionals. Plus, it means great healthcare access for all Rochester students, especially those on the university’s insurance.

5. Eastman School of Music

The music school offers free performances for university students and connects the River Campus to the Eastman Campus with regular shuttles. Students can take classes on either campus, and the annual Celebrate Diversity performance welcomes first-years to experience the talent at Rochester.

6. Greene Center

The university’s Career Advising Center provides comprehensive support for students’ professional development. Services include resume reviews, interview prep, internship funding, relocation assistance, and networking with guest speakers and industry professionals.

7. Community Weekends

These special weekends are fun throughout the year:

Yellowjacket Weekend kicks off the year with carnival games, rides, and food trucks
Meliora Weekend welcomes alumni and parents to campus
Winterfest Weekend features ice carving demos and warm treats during the cold months
Springfest Weekend (also known as Dandelion Day) helps students relax before finals

University of Rochester Rankings

When you’re researching colleges, rankings give you a sense of a school’s reputation and strengths. Here’s where they stand:

#44 National Universities U.S. News & World Report
#27 Best Value Schoolsadmissionsight.com
#127 in the world Times Higher Education
#236 QS World University Rankings
#1 in Rochester
#71 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs

Courses Offered at Rochester University

The University of Rochester offers students various academic programs across many disciplines. That diversity is reflected in its 75 undergraduate bachelor's programs, which span everything from studio art to optics engineering.

At the graduate level, Rochester offers seven specialized master's programs, three MBA tracks (full-time, part-time, and executive), and the kind of doctoral research opportunities that can take your career—and your research—to the next level. That flexibility is built right into the curriculum.

Here are some common courses offered by Rochester University.

1. Undergraduate Programs:

Arts & Humanities: Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature, Dance, English, French, German, History, Philosophy, and Music
STEM Fields: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical), Mathematics, Physics, and Optics
Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, International Relations
Business: Business, Financial Economics

2. Graduate Programs:

Business: MBA programs (Full-Time, Executive, Professional), MS degrees in Accountancy, Business Analytics, Finance, and Marketing Analytics
PhD Programs: Available across multiple disciplines, including the Simon Business School PhD program

If you want to continue your career in music, then you can see University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music is one of the top music schools in the world.

Eligibility Criteria of Rochester University

To apply to the University of Rochester, you need to meet a few requirements. First, you must have a strong high school record and a tough course load. SAT or ACT scores are optional, but they will help your application. International students need to provide proof of English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores.

Required Documents

Here is the list of the documents that are required :

Common Application or Coalition Application
USD 50 application fee (waivers available)
Secondary school transcript
Teacher recommendation (one required)
Mid-year report (when available)
School report/counselor recommendation
Final transcript (when available)
College transcript (if applicable)
University of Rochester Supplement and Essays

Academic Requirements

While applying to the University, you need to submit a particular scorecard. The minimum score required for University of Rochester admission is given below:

Academic Requirements

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Particulars	Minimum score required
SAT	Between 1390 and 1540
ACT	Between 31 and 34
GPA	3.8 on a scale of 4

University of Rochester Acceptance Rate and Admissions Deadlines

Rochester’s acceptance rate is around 36%. In the 2023-2024 academic year, total enrollment was 12,160, 6,764 undergrad and 5,396 graduate. International students make up about 22.6% of the undergraduate applications.

University of Rochester Acceptance Rate and Admissions Deadlines

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Year	Application Received	Application Enrolled	Acceptance Rate
2023-2024	21680	1543	35.85%
2022-2023	19933	1625	38.88%
2021-2022	19543	1621	40.55%

It’s important to meet application deadlines. Here are the deadlines:

Early Decision I (ED I): Apply by November 1; notified mid-December; respond within 3 weeks.
Early Decision II (ED II): Apply by January 5; notified early February; respond within 3 weeks.
Regular Decision (RD): Apply by January 5; notified April 1; respond by May 1.
Spring Regular Decision: Apply by October 15; notified December 1; respond within 3 weeks.

If you need scholarships, apply by December 1. Transfer and combined degree program applicants have separate deadlines, and make sure to complete all supplemental materials by the specified dates to be fully reviewed.

Cost of Studying at the University of Rochester

1. Undergraduate Costs

At the University of Rochester, full-time undergrads pay a flat rate per semester. Direct costs (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans) are billed by the University. Indirect costs (off-campus housing, personal expenses, books, supplies, transportation) are not billed but are factored into estimated living expenses.

Undergraduate Costs

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Cost of Attendance Item	Residential Students	Off-Campus Students	Students Living with Parents
Tuition	USD 69,030	USD 69,030	USD 69,030
Mandatory Fees	USD 1,354	USD 1,354	USD 1,354
Housing	USD 12,328	USD 5,716	USD 1,500
Food	USD 8,138	USD 6,584	USD 5,084
Transportation*	USD 300	USD 300	USD 300
Personal Expenses	USD 1,022	USD 1,022	USD 1,022
Total	USD 92,172	USD 84,006	USD 78,290

2. Graduate Costs

Indirect costs for graduate students for a standard 9-month academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) are:

Housing: USD 10,206 (USD 1,134 per month)
Food: USD 5,940 (USD 660 per month)
Books & Supplies: USD 1,310 (USD 655 per semester)
Travel: USD 2,250 (USD 250 per month)
Personal Expenses: USD 2,250 (USD 250 per month)

Total indirect costs for graduate students in 2024-2025 are USD 21,956, not including program-specific tuition and fees. This is up from last year’s estimate of USD 19,850. Students also need to manage their finances while studying here.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities

About half of admitted students receive merit scholarships of USD 14,000 per year. The university separates merit aid (scholarships regardless of financial need) and need-based aid (grants, loans, work-study based on family financial situation).

Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities

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Category	Scholarship Name	Description	Coverage
Academic Excellence	Alan and Jane Handler Scholarship	The university’s leading award for students without financial means to attend Rochester	Full support (tuition, fees, room, board, books)
Academic Excellence	Dean’s Scholarship	For academic achievement and potential contributions to campus	Partial tuition
Academic Excellence	Genesee Scholarship	Addresses financial challenges for students who enhance the community	Partial tuition
Academic Excellence	International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship	For students excelling in IB programs	Partial tuition (full tuition for Rochester City School District IB graduates)
Academic Excellence	Rush Rhees Scholarship	For students with vision and broad interests	Partial tuition
Academic Excellence	Prince Street Scholarship	For high academic achievers with creative capacity	Partial tuition
Academic Excellence	Simon Scholars Scholarship	For strong academic students interested in business	Partial tuition
Academic Excellence	Steven J. Harrison Scholarship	For GRADE program students (education)	1/3 tuition
Academic Excellence	Whipple Science & Research Scholarship	For excellence in science	Partial tuition
Diversity Initiatives	Haudenosaunee Nations Scholarship	For students from six Haudenosaunee nations	Partial tuition
Diversity Initiatives	Jesse Moore Urban League Scholarship	Partnership with Urban League affiliates	Partial tuition
Diversity Initiatives	LGBTQ+ Pride Scholarship	For students engaged with LGBTQ+ issues	Partial tuition
Social Change	7th Generation Scholarship	For environmental action and sustainable development	Partial tuition
Social Change	Harper Scholarship	For leadership in expanding equality for women	Partial tuition
Social Change	Joseph C. Wilson Leader of Change	For promoting diversity and integration	Partial tuition
Community	Rochester Promise	For Rochester City School District graduates	Varies
Community	Say Yes to Education	For Syracuse and Buffalo City School District graduates	Full tuition (family income ≤ USD 100,000)
Community	Rochester Rotary Oratorical	For Rochester Rotary Oratorical Contest participants	Partial tuition
High School Awards	Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science	For excellence in the sciences	Partial tuition
High School Awards	Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony	For commitment to addressing social issues	Partial tuition
High School Awards	George Eastman Young Leaders	For leadership and academic achievement	Partial tuition
High School Awards	Xerox Award	For achievement in technology and innovation	Partial tuition
Transfer Students	Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship	For Phi Theta Kappa honor society members	Partial tuition
Current Students	James A. Chin, Jr. Memorial Award	For current students	Varies
Current Students	Jeremy L. Glick Memorial Scholarship	For current students	Varies
Current Students	Dante Scholarship	From the Italian Women’s Civic Club	Varies

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You can explore more scholarships and apply easily through the amberScholar.

University of Rochester Student Life

Your college experience goes beyond the classroom. University of Rochester student life has so much to offer for growth, friendship, and fun. With over 275 student clubs and organizations, you’ll find communities that match your interests.

Key aspects of University of Rochester student life:

Student body of 56 countries
22 NCAA Division III teams
Eastman School of Music arts community
Cultural events and festivals
Student government leadership opportunities
Community service initiatives

Career Prospects after University of Rochester Admissions

Rochester has a great reputation for helping students get jobs after graduation. For the MBA Class of 2023, 91% of graduates were employed within 3 months. The average starting salary was USD 177,741, and the mean signing bonus was USD 38,941.

Below, we have highlighted some career opportunities after completing Rochester University programs.

Career Prospects after University of Rochester Admissions

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Functions	Average Salary
Consulting	USD 150,723
Finance / Accounting	USD 143,533
General Management	USD 123,500
Marketing / Sales	USD 135,255

Rochester offers an amazing education that combines academic challenge, research opportunities, and a dynamic campus community. With strong University of Rochester rankings, a reasonable University of Rochester acceptance rate, and a focus on student success, it’s a great choice for your undergraduate or graduate degree.

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