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Summary
University of Rochester is a private institution that was founded in 1850. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,643, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 707 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Rochester's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 33. Its tuition and fees are $43,666 (2012-13).
The University of Rochester describes itself as one of the smallest and most collegiate schools among the nation’s top research universities. The Yellowjackets are part of the University Athletic Association and participate in NCAA Division III sports. The school also offers more than 200 student organizations, and about one quarter of students are affiliated with Greek life on campus. Rochester’s a cappella ensembles are among the country’s best. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, and two-thirds of the juniors and more than half of the seniors choose to remain on campus. Rochester’s main campus is located two miles south of downtown Rochester, N.Y., in the bend of the Genesee River.
The University of Rochester’s graduate programs include the highly ranked William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Medical Center, Department of Political Science, and Department of Economics. The well-regarded Eastman School of Music is home to more than 20 ensembles, including the first wind ensemble in the country. The Institute of Optics is the nation’s oldest educational program devoted to optics. The school’s unique "Take Five Scholars" program provides students an additional tuition-free semester or year studying topics of interest outside of their major. Notable alumni include U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and visual effects artist Michael Kanfer, who won an Academy Award for his work on the film Titanic.
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Excellence requires freedom. The University of Rochester's belief in this fundamental principle, which drives research faculty around the world, has led to our unique and innovative Rochester Curriculum. Living the principle straight out of high school, Rochester students are free to select the courses that appeal to them most from their first day on campus. Advising is individualized from the first day, and Rochester students typically build on their passion (or combination of passions) for all four year of a BS or BA career. The Rochester Curriculum commitment means there are zero required subjects; instead, students' interests drive their education. As they structure their choices, students will choose to major in one of over 70 degree programs in sciences and engineering, in humanities, or in social sciences, and at least a "cluster" of three related courses in each of the other areas. Among America's advanced research universities, Rochester is collegiate in character, with smaller enrollment overall, nearly 90% residential for four years, balanced in gender and diversity, and sustaining a commitment that 95-100% of every student's instruction will be with tenure-track faculty. With guaranteed exposure to research, Rochester students may begin advanced studies in graduate courses early. Beyond the strong majority of arts and sciences students, Rochester offers undergraduate professional options with schools of engineering, medicine, nursing, music, education, and business. The share of Rochester students who choose to pursue graduate degrees is among the nation's highest. Among the 2,000 National Science Foundation fellowships offered in 2011, 16 were for current and former Rochester undergraduates, ranking Rochester 14th among all private universities. In other important respects Rochester mirrors the best that larger universities can offer. The campus is self-contained, but a stimulating downtown is two miles away, and year-round recreation is prominent in all directions. Recreation, schools, and culture are among the reasons Rochester was ranked in Places Rated Almanac's 25th anniversary edition as the 6th most ideal among America's 395 metropolitan areas. The Curriculum drives an enormous diversity for life on campus, which supports nearly 250 different student organizations. Since no two academic programs are alike, Rochester students develop over years as individuals with growing confidence. Many Rochester students emulate the faculty who have devoted their lives to free academic inquiry. They make intelligent, even rebellious, choices for themselves and tend to associate in ways that reinforce support for every other student's individual choices. |
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1850 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $1,622,812,000 |
Applying
When applying to University of Rochester, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 1. The application fee at University of Rochester is $70. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 34.1 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 34.1% |
| Application deadline | January 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Rochester is 10:1, and the school has 69.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Rochester include: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Visual and Performing Arts; and Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 95.2 percent.
Student Life
University of Rochester has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,643, with a gender distribution of 48.5 percent male students and 51.5 percent female students. At this school, 83.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 17.0 percent of students live off campus. University of Rochester is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at University of Rochester.
| Total enrollment | 10,319 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
University of Rochester offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, health service, and health insurance. University of Rochester also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of Rochester, 28 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Rochester.
| Students who have cars on campus | 28% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of Rochester, 56.5 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $29,699.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $43,666 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $12,618 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
