Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is one of 62 member schools of the eminent Association of American Universities. It is also one of the eight members of the University Athletic Association, a consortium of national research institutions that share a unique approach to academics and athletics. Rochester's moderate size and the range of its academic and research programs allow for both individual attention and uncommon flexibility in designing undergraduate studies.
The University's mission is to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better. Through individual endeavors and collaborative efforts, students and faculty work toward this goal each day, improving themselves, each other, and their shared learning environment in the process. The expectation is that each student will live up to the University's motto, "Meliora" (ever better), recognizing that they are future leaders in industry, education, and culture.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Kim Crosby
Guest Relations Manager
Guest Relations Manager
Address
Wilson Blvd.
PO Box 270251
Rochester, NY 14627
PO Box 270251
Rochester, NY 14627
Phone
585-275-3221
Email
admit@admissions.rochester.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Eastman Theater
Memorial Art Gallery
Rush Rhees Library
Interfaith Chapel
Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center
Memorial Art Gallery
Rush Rhees Library
Interfaith Chapel
Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Niagara Falls
Int'l Museum of Photography and Film
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Susan B. Anthony House
Park Avenue Neighborhood
Int'l Museum of Photography and Film
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Susan B. Anthony House
Park Avenue Neighborhood
Campus Tours
Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
585-275-3221
8:30am-5:00pm
585-275-3221
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Varies
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Varies
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Monday-Friday, some Saturdays
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
2 weeks
Contact Email Address for Visit
Contact coach directly.
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact department.
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
1-night maximum stay; Mon-Thurs nights
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Greater Rochester International Airport is 2 miles from campus. Taxis are available at the airport for the drive to campus. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve Rochester; their stations are close to municipal bus lines that serve the university's River Campus.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From the east, take I-90 to Exit 46; then take I-390 N. to Exit 17. Turn left onto Scottsville Rd., bear right onto Elmwood Ave. and cross the Genesee River bridge. Turn left onto Wilson Blvd. and proceed to the information booth for parking instructions and directions. From the south, take I-390 N. to Exit 17 and proceed as above. From the west, take the I-90 to Exit 47, then take I-490 E. to I-390 S. Leave I-390 at Exit 17 and proceed as above.
Local Accommodations
http://enrollment.rochester.edu/visit/on-campus/#tab5
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
The University of Rochester seeks to admit students who will take advantage of its resources, be strongly motivated to do their best, and contribute to the life of the University community. An applicant's character, extracurricular activities, job experience, academic accomplishments, and career goals are considered. The University accepts the Common Application, and the Coalition Application.
Admission to the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering is based on a holistic review process that includes a test-flexible philosophy. As we seek to enroll a diverse and talented class each year, our review procedures incorporate a variety of factors, including many kinds of academic records. A wide variety of test results can fulfill this requirement.
The recommended application filing date for first-year applicants is January 5 for fall admission. An early decision plan is available. The deadline for Early Decision applications is November 1; applicants are notified in December.
The University welcomes applications from transfer students for either semester. The application deadline is March 15 for the fall semester, and October 1 for spring enrollment.
Overview
Applicants: 18,915
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average HS GPA: 3.80
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
630 - 710
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
710 - 790
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
29 - 34
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Test Flexible
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Regular — January 5
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Recommendation(s)
Non-Academic
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Rochester offers many options beyond traditional course work. Opportunities that allow our students to explore their individual interests further include Combined-Admissions Programs, Dual Degree Programs, Research & Innovation Grants, Take Five Scholars Program, The e5 Program, private lessons at the Eastman School of Music, study abroad, and undergraduate research.
Majors and Degrees Offered
The University of Rochester offers Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science programs through the College. Available majors include: African and African-American studies; American Sign Language; American Studies; Anthropology; Applied Mathematics; Archaeology, Technology & Historical Structures; Art History; Bioethics; Biological Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Computational Biology; Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, or Neuroscience); Biomedical Signals & Imaging; Brain & Cognitive Sciences; British & American Literature; Business (Accounting; Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance; Marketing); Chemistry; Classics; Comparative Literature; Creative Expression & Performance; Creative Writing; Dance Studies; Data Science; Digital Media Studies; East Asian Studies; Economics; English; Environmental Health; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Epidemiology; Film & Media Studies; Financial Economics; French; Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies; Geological Sciences; Geomechanics; German; Health Policy; Health, Behavior & Society; History; Interdepartmental Studies; International Relations; Japanese; Language, Media & Communications; Linguistics; Mathematics; Mathematics & Statistics; Music; Philosophy; Physics; Physics & Astronomy; Political Science; Psychology; Religion; Russian; Russian Studies; Spanish; Statistics; Studio Arts; and Theater.
The Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers study in Audio & Music Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical & Computer Engineering; Engineering Science; Interdepartmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Optical Engineering; and Optics.
Rochester not only offers a Bachelor of Arts in music through the College, but also a Bachelor of Music degree through the Eastman School of Music; available majors include Applied Music, Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media, Music Composition, Music Education, and Music Theory. Private instruction through the Eastman School is available to students in the College.
The College offers certificate programs in Actuarial Studies, Biotechnology, Literary Translation Studies, Mathematical Modeling in Political Science and Economics, and Stage Management. These programs complement traditional majors.
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
10:1
Total Faculty
with Terminal Degree
Most frequent lab / sub section size
2 - 9
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Majors
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
East Asian Studies.
Latin American Studies.
Russian Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Epidemiology.
Evolutionary Biology.
Genetics, General.
Microbiology, General.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Business/Managerial Economics.
Marketing.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
-
ENGINEERING.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science.
Engineering, General.
Engineering, Other.
Geological/Geophysical Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
American Sign Language (ASL).
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Comparative Literature.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
Bioethics/Medical Ethics.
Public Health, General.
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Applied Mathematics, General.
Mathematics and Statistics, Other.
Mathematics, General.
Statistics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Computational Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
Environmental Studies.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Optics/Optical Sciences.
Physics, General.
Physics, Other.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Experimental Psychology.
Psychology, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, Other.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Jazz/Jazz Studies.
Music Performance, General.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, General.
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management.
Visual and Performing Arts, Other.
Students Say
The University of Rochester is a private research university in western New York. The school’s programs are rigorous, but students appreciate the freedom to create their own paths. Rochester “does not require general education classes, but instead encourages students to pursue their passions through the cluster system,” which groups classes together in divisions of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Engineering. While the programs offer flexibility, the academic requirements are demanding, but regardless of field of study, “tutoring services, [the] University Counseling Center, and staff [who] focus on creating a supportive environment” are always available. “Most people … spend all of their time studying,” says one student. But the intellectual efforts come with benefits: the combination of motivated peers and academics “makes … a better student and learner.” Faculty also play an important role here with professors who are “really knowledgeable and passionate” about what they’re teaching. One student comments that professors “keep material interesting, [are] approachable, and [are] very fair.” And class structures are varied so as to “incorporate design thinking” or to feature “more interactive problems.” Added benefits to that structure include “small class sizes and individual attention,” and “so many opportunities … [are] offered to students both inside and outside of class.”
Degrees
Bachelor's
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Stephen Chu
Former Secretary of Energy, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Susan Hockenfield
Former Provost at Yale, President of MIT
Galway Kinnell
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and MacArthur Fellow
Arthur Krornberg
Nobel laureate in medicine
Barry Meyer
Chairman/CEO of Warner Brothers
Cathy Minehan
President/CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Bosto
David Satcher
Former U.S. Surgeon General
Academic Rating
81/99
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Interest Inventory
Internships
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Information from PayScale:
Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$58,900
Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)
$110,300
Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$61,500
Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)
$121,400
Percent High Job Meaning
52%
Percent STEM
32%
Students Say
University of Rochester students do pretty well for themselves. Indeed, according to PayScale.com, the average starting salary for these grads is $57,500. And how do these undergrads land such lucrative jobs? Why, through an excellent career services office! Rochester's Career & Internship Center sponsors weekly seminars that cover everything from finding internships to discussions of networking techniques and tips. The office also offers specialized boot camps for targeted career areas. For example, students may attend boot camps based around non-profit jobs or ones centered upon engineering and applied sciences. And, of course, we'd be remiss if we neglected to mention that the center also hosts several career fairs throughout the year. Students can connect with companies such as Apple, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Wegmans Food Markets and Teach for America.
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2019-20 academic year is $56,026 for tuition and fees; $16,470 for room and board; and $2,690 for books, supplies, and other expenses.
Financial Aid
Academic merit scholarships, loans, grants, tuition payment plans, and part-time jobs all contribute to the University of Rochester's strong financial assistance program. Those applying for financial aid should submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile application.
Merit scholarships are awarded to eligible incoming undergraduate students. Candidates are considered based upon their application for admissions, reviewing academic performance, involvement, and leadership. Although separate applications are not required, students should be aware of earlier deadlines that may apply. Merit scholarships are awarded regardless of financial need. Information on specific scholarship programs is available at enrollment.rochester.edu/financial-aid.
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Apr 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
State Aid
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
State Aid
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$49,515
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$44,662
Average Need-Based Loan
$3,655
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
51%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$29,553
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
$55,040
Required Fees
$990
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,310
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$3,420
Transportation for Commuters
$300
On-Campus Room and Board
$15,938
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal and Institutional
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Federal Nursing Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Financial Aid Rating
96/99
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Students come from all 50 states and more than 120 countries. Most undergraduates live on campus for all four years of their college experience.
With more than 275 student organizations, ranging from cultural and political to religious and athletic, students at Rochester can easily find communities of friends who share their interests and passions. When it's time for recreation, Rochester students flock to the Goergen Athletic Center. The Center includes an 11,000 square-foot fitness facility; an indoor track and activity field; a swimming pool and diving well; numerous courts for basketball, indoor tennis, racquetball, squash, and volleyball; a state-of-the-art athletic training facility; and the Palestra, home for 23 Division III varsity teams and host to various campus events.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
6,535
Foreign Countries Represented
114
Demographics
11.18%
Asian
4.91%
Black
7.10%
Hispanic
42.20%
Caucasian
4.90%
Unknown
26.72%
International
50% female
50% male
59% are out of state
96% are full time
4% are part time
Students Say
Diversity is key at UR, “both [in] background and academic interests.” As one student states, “In my class alone, 46 percent of us are international students.” Those different backgrounds branch into an even wider range of activities. “Some [students] are filmmakers, some are dancers, some love sailing, some love art. Everyone has their own passions,” another student describes. The variety is a benefit, with students claiming “the best thing about the UR community is that nobody can be put into a box.” Undergrads describe their peers as “charmingly nerdy” or “chill nerds” who are “very down to have interesting and academic conversations.” While most students are “academically focused” and “really care about what they do here,” they are for the most part “more collaborative than competitive.” “People range from passionate to apathetic, party animals to total nerds.” However, amidst all the diversity is a strong sense of camaraderie, and “everyone holds each other accountable in terms of pursuing their absolute best.”
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
The University is located in Rochester, NY, the third largest urban area in the state. The 90-acre River Campus is situated just two miles south of downtown Rochester, along the Genesee River. The Medical Center, the South Campus, and the Mt. Hope Campus are located nearby. The University's renowned Eastman School of Music and the Memorial Art Gallery are a free 10-minute bus ride away in downtown Rochester.
Roughly 6,500 undergraduates and 5,200 graduate students attend the University of Rochester. Ninety percent of undergraduates in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering live and take classes on the River Campus.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
The University's Laboratory for Laser Energetics houses the 60-beam OMEGA laser, the world's most powerful fusion laser. The Medical Center includes Strong Memorial Hospital, the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, and the Golisano Children's Hospital. Resources in downtown Rochester include the Memorial Art Gallery, Eastman Theatre, and the Sibley Music Library – the largest academic music library in North America. The River Campus is home to the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies, the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender and Women's Studies, the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, the Institute of Optics, and the Goergen Institute for Data Science. Additional campus facilities include a virtual reality lab, observatory, and an 11,000 square-foot athletic center.
Off-Campus Opportunities
With Lake Ontario on its northern border, the scenic Finger Lakes to the south, and more than a million people, Rochester is rated among the most livable cities in the United States. The city of Rochester is a dynamic mix of culture, commerce, and history. Cultural and recreational opportunities include museums, parks, orchestras, planetariums, theater companies, and professional sports teams.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
90%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
86/99
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Small Urban
95/99
Housing Options
Apartment Married
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Dorms Male
Frat Sorority
International Student
Other
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Frat Sorority
International Student
Other
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Students Say
University of Rochester is “very much an academically driven institution,” and course work is the top priority. But as one student says, “The weekend [is] when most people fill their days with different activities.” One such activity that many students rave about is movie night: “School movie nights are [the] best schoolprovided weekend activity.” Athletics are, of course, present, but as one student notes, “Rochester varsity sports are not very competitive, [however] … a lot of people … do club sports.” Other students mention weekend hikes, dance groups, plays and recitals. One thing to contend with at Rochester are the long winters; as some students put it, it’s “winter 90 percent of the time.” Both the school and students have adapted, and one student offers assurances that Rochester has “established a tunnel system which provides convenience.” Dining halls on campus also provide comfort, and anyone looking for a tasty bite to eat can rest easy: “There are a bunch of places to eat on campus.” Another way to socialize on campus is through Greek life, but even that is “not as fratty” as you’d expect. As for parties? “There is not a huge party scene on campus, but it’s there if you want it,” claims one Yellowjacket. Off-campus activities are plentiful, “if you have a car.” Otherwise, students rely on the shuttle system. Overall, “there is always something to do on the weekend for entertainment” if students need a study break.
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
260
Number of Honor Societies
6
Number of Social Sororities
15
Number of Religious Organizations
13
20% join a fraternity
26% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division III
Men's Sports (Yellowjackets)
12 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Soccer
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Soccer
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Women's Sports (Yellowjackets)
14 Sports
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Rochester Institute of Technology
Sustainability
86/99
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Apple, Dell
