Rochester University provides an accessible private college experience for students seeking personalized attention in a small, supportive community environment.
The university serves many first-generation students and maintains affordable net prices that make private education attainable for diverse families.
Rochester University is a small private nonprofit institution in Rochester Hills, Michigan, serving about 31% Pell Grant recipients and 41% first-generation college students. The university falls in the middle range nationally for access and affordability, with net prices that are reasonable for a private institution, though earnings outcomes lag behind many peer schools. Graduates earn a median of $48,707 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower third nationally for long-term financial returns.
What distinguishes Rochester University is its focus on serving students who might not otherwise attend college, with nearly half being first-generation students. The completion rate of 41% at six years reflects the challenges many students face, though those who do graduate find stable employment. The university operates as an "Opportunity Builder" in terms of mobility, providing access to higher education while working to improve outcomes for the students it serves.
As a small private college, Rochester University offers the personalized attention and community feel that many students value, particularly those who thrive in smaller academic environments. For families seeking an affordable private college option in Michigan, it represents a pathway to higher education, though prospective students should carefully consider their career goals and financial expectations when making their college choice.
Rochester University's academic programs center on practical fields that prepare students for immediate employment. Business Administration and Management leads both in enrollment and aggregate return, graduating 33 students annually who earn median salaries of $38,289 in their early careers. This program represents the university's strongest financial pathway, combining solid enrollment with reasonable early-career outcomes.
Psychology serves as the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 21 students with early earnings of $29,685. While the financial returns are more modest, psychology majors often pursue additional education or find employment in social services, healthcare support, and related fields where the degree provides a foundation for career growth.
The concentration in these two fields reflects Rochester University's focus on accessible, career-oriented education. Both programs offer practical skills and direct pathways to employment, though students should understand that earnings potential may be more limited compared with similar programs at larger research universities. The small program scale allows for personalized faculty attention and close mentoring relationships that can be valuable for career development.
Graduates of Rochester University earn a median of $48,707 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution below average compared with similar colleges nationwide. The university's earnings outcomes reflect both its program mix and the challenges faced by many smaller private institutions in delivering strong financial returns. About 25 students earn more than $75,000 annually, indicating that while some graduates achieve solid financial success, the overall earnings distribution skews toward more modest outcomes.
The strongest financial returns come from Business Administration and Management, which graduates 33 students annually with median earnings of $38,289 early in their careers. Psychology, the university's largest program with 21 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $29,685. These two programs represent the core of Rochester University's academic focus, though both show earnings levels that are below what similar programs typically achieve at other institutions.
While the financial returns may not match those of larger research universities or more selective institutions, Rochester University graduates do find employment and build careers. The university's small scale means that career services can provide personalized attention, and the Michigan location offers access to diverse employment opportunities in the Detroit metropolitan area and beyond.
Rochester University offers relatively affordable pricing for a private nonprofit institution. Low-income students pay about $15,716 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net prices around $19,451, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,860. These net prices are competitive with many public universities and significantly lower than typical private college costs, making Rochester University accessible to families across different income levels.
The university's financial aid approach helps make private education attainable for students who might not otherwise consider it. With nearly one-third of students receiving Pell Grants and substantial numbers of first-generation college students, the pricing structure reflects a commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. The relatively modest net prices, combined with the personalized attention of a small college environment, create value for families seeking an alternative to large public universities.
Debt levels are manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $24,475 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $14,000. While these amounts require careful planning, they remain within reasonable ranges for families committed to private higher education, especially given the university's focus on keeping costs accessible.
Rochester University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
