University of Rochester
#6 Best MBA Programs for Operations Management- Graduation Rate
- 85% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $79,042 A
- Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $29,278 F
- 71% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 40% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 16.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best MBA Programs for Operations Management.
Every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,762,495.
What The Data Says
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A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 94% more than the national college median.
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A 85% graduation rate — 49% above the national average.
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Inventor rate in the top 11% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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A top feeder school for 5 major employers.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 2.2%
- Top 11%
- Patents
- 157
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #81
- Times Higher Education
- Employer Pipelines
- 5
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 175
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 34/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Rochester Matters
University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, NY ranked #81 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 6,331
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose University of Rochester
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 40% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1410–1540. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $29,278 a year after grants and scholarships — 71% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $79,042 ten years after enrolling — 94% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 10% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 6,300 students, the University of Rochester is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit academic community while still enjoying the resources of a larger institution. The acceptance rate sits at 40%, which indicates a competitive but attainable entry point for many. Students here delve into a variety of disciplines, with standout programs in Biology and Biomedical fields, Engineering, Health Professions, Business and Marketing, and Psychology. This diversity allows students to explore their passions and prepare for promising careers.
Looking ahead after graduation, the numbers are encouraging. Graduates can expect to earn about $79,042 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a significant return on investment, especially when considering the financial aspects of attending. The school has a graduation rate of 85%, which speaks to the supportive environment that helps students succeed and move forward in their careers. Affordability is also a key factor, making this a viable option for many families.
When it comes to the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $29,278, and many students graduate with a median debt of $21,000. This manageable debt load means that graduates can focus more on their careers rather than being weighed down by financial stress. The University of Rochester tends to attract motivated students who are ready to take advantage of the resources available to them, and they often thrive in this environment, making the most of their educational experience.
Rankings
- #6 Best MBA Programs for Operations Management
- #7 Best MBA Programs in New York
- #9 Best Engineering Colleges in New York
- #10 Best Biology Colleges in New York
- #10 Universities With the Highest Research Impact
- #12 Best Online Colleges in New York
- #12 Best MBA Programs for Strategic Management
- #17 Best Colleges in New York
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Rochester is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Rochester? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Rochester, New York, University of Rochester reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 40%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,488. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 40%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1488
- ACT Midpoint
- 33
- SAT Range
- 1410–1540
- ACT Range
- 31–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 95%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,585
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 19,966
- Admitted
- 7,768
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Rochester? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Rochester is $67,080, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,278. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $67,080
- Out-of-State
- $67,080
- Avg Net Price
- $29,278
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,678
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,185
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,087
- Family Income $110K+
- $46,801
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Rochester Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Rochester earn a median of $79,042, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $68,333
- 8 Years
- $75,218
- 10 Years
- $79,042
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,077)
- 75%
- 100% (1,077)
- 75%
- 100% (1,077)
- 75%
- 100% (1,077)
- 75%
Where Grads Go
University of Rochester is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of University of Rochester’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Actel Advisory Group ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Amazon ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Citigroup ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2024
- Garlock ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- M&T Bank ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2024
- McKinsey & Company ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2024
- Microsoft ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- UBS ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Vanguard ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Verizon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Western Digital ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Strong Memorial Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Golisano Children's Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Highland Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- F.F. Thompson Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Noyes Memorial Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- Jones Memorial Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
- St. James Hospital ✓ VerifiedHealthcare & hospitals
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Rochester Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Rochester delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,278/year ($117,112 total). Graduates earn $79,042 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,879,607 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,762,495 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 85% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $117,112
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,879,607
- Net Return
- $1,762,495
- ROI Multiple
- 16.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $29,278
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Rochester Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Rochester is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.02%, among the highest in the country. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $129,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.02%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 52.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $129,200
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is University of Rochester? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Rochester at #81 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 34/100, teaching at 47/100, and citation impact of 95/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #81
- Teaching
- 47
- Research
- 33.5
- Citations
- 94.5
- International
- 45.7
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Rochester produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 11% nationally), with 157 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 34/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 2.15%
- Top 11% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 157
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 175
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 34/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 95/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 36/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.85%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-460,790,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Rochester awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Biology & Biomedical 12%
- Engineering 11%
- Health Professions 10%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 9%
- Social Sciences 9%
- Computer Science & IT 6%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Rochester's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Rochester? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Rochester, New York, University of Rochester reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 40%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,488. The graduation rate is roughly 85%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Rochester? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Rochester is $67,080, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,278. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,678 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Rochester Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Rochester earn a median of $79,042, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does University of Rochester Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Rochester is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.02%, among the highest in the country. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $129,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Rochester? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Rochester. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Rochester? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Rochester at #81 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 34/100, teaching at 47/100, and citation impact of 95/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Rochester.
- University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · Close peer83% grad $86,522 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA · Close peer79% grad $78,349 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA · Close peer86% grad $77,231 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH · Close peer87% grad $87,989 earn 37% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Close peer82% grad $79,164 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ · Close peer86% grad $73,323 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Rochester? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Rochester. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note