Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Rochester University #1278 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Rochester University sits in the 56.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Rochester University #1339 for access among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting broad enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students.
Azimuth ranks Rochester University #1278 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 13.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Rochester University enrolls roughly 792 undergraduates. Retention is 59.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 44.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional private institution. Where Rochester University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Rochester University #1056 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 28.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,000, placing Rochester University in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rochester University in the 56.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Education, which aligns with strong regional demand in Michigan's education sector and related fields. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite at the 9.5 and 48.7 percentiles respectively, reflecting Rochester University's positioning as a tuition-dependent private institution with a smaller Pell-eligible population (30.9% Pell, 40.6% first-generation). Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 17.4 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's low-income student outcomes and career-mobility patterns are more modest relative to peer institutions.
Rochester University's published cost of attendance is $41,787. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,463, middle-income families pay around $19,771, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,821. Azimuth ranks Rochester University #732 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Rochester University meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with aid packages combining grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,475, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,987; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at Rochester University's median four-year earnings of $50,000, median federal debt of $24,475 projects to a monthly payment of about $277 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Rochester University is a strong fit for students drawn to education and related fields who want a private university experience in Rochester Hills, MI. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $50,000, placing Rochester University in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rochester University in the 56.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 30.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.6% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Rochester University in the 5.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the 4-year horizon. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors education-oriented fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Rochester University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
15 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
32 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
19 graduates
Psychology, General
24 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
22 graduates
Rochester University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation, reflecting the institution's historical mission as a private research university with deep roots in professional educator development. Teacher Education is the largest program with 79 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Kinesiology, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 8 total programs serving roughly 206 students annually, 0 programs meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The earnings pattern reflects a portfolio oriented toward stable, in-demand professional fields.
Nursing leads with median 4-year earnings of $90,425 among 15 graduates, followed by Business Administration with earnings of $60,312 and Communication and Media Studies with earnings of $51,856. Psychology, General and Kinesiology round out the highest-earning cohorts.
The program portfolio demonstrates consistent outcomes across education-adjacent and professional-services fields, with graduates entering stable labor markets in teaching, counseling, administration, and related sectors. Several of these programs represent grad-school-dependent or credential-dependent pathways where four-year earnings reflect early-career positioning before advanced degrees or professional certifications take effect—particularly in education, counseling, and psychology fields where many graduates pursue master's degrees or state licensure.
Others, such as business and applied professional programs, show direct-to-workforce outcomes where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market entry. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Rochester University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in education and professional services.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Rochester University's published cost of attendance is $41,787. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,463, middle-income families pay around $19,771, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,821.
Azimuth ranks Rochester University #732 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Rochester University meets demonstrated financial need through need-based aid, with aid packages combining grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,475, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,987; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at Rochester University's median four-year earnings of $50,000, median federal debt of $24,475 projects to a monthly payment of about $277 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Rochester University earn median 4-year earnings of $50,000, placing the institution in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Rochester University in the 56.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Rochester University #1056 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Rochester University's concentration in education and related fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 79 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,039, representing 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 32 students with median 4-year earnings of $60,312, while Psychology, General and Kinesiology round out the top programs with 24 and 22 graduates respectively, earning $46,344 and $45,314 four years after enrollment.
The institution's program portfolio, anchored in Education, supports stable career pathways and long-term earnings growth aligned with regional labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seton Hill University Similar quality tier (#34963 ranked) | PA | 80% | $51,748 | #34963 | Compare |
Huntingdon College Similar quality tier (#34961 ranked) | AL | 69% | $49,601 | #34961 | Compare |
Reinhardt University Similar quality tier (#34965 ranked) | GA | 62% | $46,541 | #34965 | Compare |
Goucher College Similar quality tier (#34966 ranked) | MD | 78% | $53,023 | #34966 | Compare |
Luther College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#34957 ranked) | IA | 72% | $59,850 | #34957 | Compare |
