University of Rochester combines selective admissions with strong absolute earnings outcomes, particularly for technical fields. While serving a high-achieving student population, the institution delivers exceptional outcomes for low-income graduates and maintains manageable debt levels relative to earning potential.
With well above average outcomes, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, indicating higher costs relative to peer institutions
With above average results, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
In the strong tier
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Rochester graduates earn a median of $79,042 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 93rd percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. However, the institution produces earnings $14,310 below expectations relative to student demographics, placing it in the 7th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
This suggests that while absolute earnings are strong, they reflect the high-achieving student profile rather than institutional uplift. Earnings range from $50,106 at the 25th percentile to $116,695 at the 75th percentile, showing significant variation across career paths.
Students seeking a premier private research university with strong STEM and pre-professional programs, particularly those drawn to selective academic environments and willing to invest in higher education costs for long-term earning potential in fields like computer science, engineering, and healthcare.
University of Rochester admits approximately 35.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Rochester in the Selective tier among four-year institutions, requiring competitive academic credentials for admission.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights Rochester's greater selectivity compared to typical private universities, making it notably more competitive than the average institution in its category. Students should approach Rochester as a selective option requiring strong academic preparation and accomplishments.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Rochester's published cost of attendance reaches $82,600 per year, including $64,348 in tuition, $18,924 for room and board, and $1,310 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $30,248 after financial aid, representing savings of $52,352 from the sticker price.
This net price places Rochester $3,105 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating more expensive costs relative to similar private institutions. The substantial gap between sticker price and net cost reflects Rochester's high-tuition, high-aid model common among selective private universities.
Financial aid effectively reduces costs for most families, though the net price remains higher than many alternatives. The cost structure requires families to evaluate the investment relative to post-graduation outcomes, as Rochester's strong earnings help justify the higher educational investment.
Students should expect significant variation in net cost based on family income, with the most substantial aid directed toward lower-income families while middle and upper-income families pay closer to full price.
Computer Science.
120 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
54 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
59 graduates
Applied Economics.
115 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
58 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart William Smith Colleges Higher acceptance rate (21.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 38 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 57% | $68,831 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the University Of Rochester hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-rochester/analysis.
Selective Achiever with strong STEM outcomes
University of Rochester ranks #453 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing at the 72nd percentile with above average performance across multiple dimensions. Located in Rochester, New York, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains selective admission standards with a 35.9% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 16.2% Pell-eligible students and 18.7% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achiever institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong earnings outcomes. With a 92.5% retention rate and 84.5% completion rate, Rochester demonstrates solid academic support systems.
The university's SAT scores rank among the highest nationally, with admitted students typically scoring 1400-1540, reflecting its competitive academic environment and high-achieving student body.
The admission rate indicates that while not among the most competitive universities nationally, Rochester maintains high standards and expectations for academic achievement. This level of selectivity means that students with solid but not exceptional credentials face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process.
For this reason, prospective students should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates alongside Rochester. The university's competitive nature reflects its academic rigor and the high-achieving student body it seeks to enroll.
University of Rochester demonstrates steady earnings progression over the post-graduation period. Median earnings grow from $68,333 six years after enrollment to $75,218 at eight years and $79,042 at ten years, representing 15.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 820 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Low-income graduates earn $94,700, ranking in the top 5% nationally and indicating exceptionally strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds despite the institution's limited Pell enrollment.
The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 75th percentile earning 2.3 times more than the 25th percentile. Approximately 26.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting the institution's strong preparation for advanced education.
Compared to a peer median of $63,066, Rochester graduates earn $15,976 more annually, demonstrating competitive positioning within its institutional peer group.
University of Rochester offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Computer Science ranks #25 nationally and #3 in New York, producing 120 graduates with median earnings of $136,559 and a strong value score of 86.9.
Behavioral Neuroscience achieves the #1 national ranking with 66 graduates earning $68,347 annually. Algebra and Number Theory ranks #10 nationally and #2 in New York, graduating 54 students with impressive median earnings of $119,738.
Applied Economics performs well at #40 nationally and #4 in New York, with 115 graduates earning $86,785. The institution's largest programs include Biology with 223 graduates and Adult Health Nursing with 207 graduates, reflecting strong enrollment in pre-professional tracks.
Several programs achieve top-10 state rankings, indicating regional leadership across multiple disciplines and demonstrating the breadth of Rochester's academic excellence.
Suny College At Geneseo Higher acceptance rate (27.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 25 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 64% | $67,316 | Compare |
Rochester Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (35.5 percentage points higher) and located 4 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 71% | $76,571 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Higher acceptance rate (50.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 86% | $73,997 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Higher acceptance rate (51.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 87% | $73,997 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xavier University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#457 ranked) | LA | 74% | $52,184 | #457 | Compare |
National Louis University Similar quality tier (#452 ranked) | IL | 93% | $45,799 | #452 | Compare |
St. Joseph's University-New York Similar quality tier in Northeast (#451 ranked) | NY | 71% | $63,905 | #451 | Compare |
Maryville University Of Saint Louis Similar quality tier (#449 ranked) | MO | 94% | $62,105 | #449 | Compare |
Marquette University Similar quality tier (#466 ranked) | WI | 87% | $78,257 | #466 | Compare |
