University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private research university on the banks of the Genesee River in Rochester, New York, known for an open curriculum with no required general-education courses, a strong pre-health pipeline, and the renowned Eastman School of Music. Admission is selective: Rochester admitted about 42% of more than 21,600 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1400–1510 with an average high school GPA near 3.73. The biological sciences, the health professions, and business are the most-conferred fields, reflecting the university's research and medical strengths. Rochester is test-optional and meets, on average, about 96% of demonstrated financial need.
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Rochester admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Rochester offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.0× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Rochester is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Rochester's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 32% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Rochester does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Rochester weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Rochester's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Rochester admissions
Is it hard to get into the University of Rochester?＋
Rochester is selective but not in the single-digit range: it admitted about 41.9% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 9,056 of more than 21,600 applicants and enrolling about 1,231 first-years. The review is holistic, with the rigor of your course load, your GPA, extracurriculars, and character all weighed as very important factors.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Rochester?＋
Enrolled first-years at Rochester report an average high school GPA of about 3.73, so competitive applicants are generally near the top of their class. Among the 32% who reported a class rank, roughly 85% were in the top tenth. There is no hard cutoff, and the rigor of your courses and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors.
Is a 1500 SAT good enough for the University of Rochester?＋
Yes — a 1500 is solidly competitive, landing just below the 75th-percentile SAT of 1510 for enrolled first-years. The middle 50% scored 1400 to 1510 on the SAT and 31 to 34 on the ACT, with a median around 1450. Rochester is test-optional, so a score in this range strengthens an application but is not required.
Does the University of Rochester require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. Rochester is test-optional, so you may apply without submitting scores and your application will be reviewed without penalty. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored between 1400 and 1510 on the SAT and 31 to 34 on the ACT. Standardized test scores are only a considered factor in the review.
What is the University of Rochester's Early Decision acceptance rate?＋
Rochester offers binding Early Decision I and Early Decision II, which together drew 1,129 applications and produced 472 admits — an early-round admit rate of about 42%, in line with the overall 41.9% rate. There is no Early Action plan, so applying ED is the way to signal Rochester as your first choice; demonstrated interest is weighed as an important factor.
How much does the University of Rochester cost, and does it meet financial need?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $73,372 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus housing and food are added. About 63% of first-years receive need-based aid, the average need-based package is near $63,352, and Rochester meets roughly 96% of demonstrated financial need on average.
What are the most popular majors at the University of Rochester?＋
The biological sciences are the single most popular field at about 13% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the health professions at 12% and business at 11%. Social sciences, engineering, and psychology round out the most-conferred fields, reflecting Rochester's strong pre-health and research focus alongside its open curriculum.
Does the application essay matter at the University of Rochester?＋
Yes. Rochester rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — below academics, extracurriculars, and character, but above standardized test scores, which are only considered. Recommendations and demonstrated interest are also weighed as important, so a specific, well-revised essay is a meaningful place to stand out in a 42%-admit pool.
Source: University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Rochester. Banner photo by Jim.henderson, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).