University of Rochester: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 34% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1460 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 33 |
| Location | NY |
| School type | Private |
The University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, New York. It accepts about 34% of applicants, which makes it one of the more selective private universities in the Northeast. Students who get in tend to be academically strong, and the school is especially well regarded in science, engineering, and music.
Calculate your chances at University of Rochester free →How hard is it to get into the University of Rochester?
Getting into Rochester is genuinely competitive. About one in three applicants is admitted, meaning the other two are not. The applicant pool includes students with strong GPAs and high test scores, so there is not much room for gaps in your academic record.
Rochester uses a Take Five Scholars program and other distinctive features that sometimes appeal to students who want flexibility in their education. If you can speak specifically to what draws you to Rochester beyond its reputation, that specificity tends to help.
Test scores that make you competitive
The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students is 1460, and the ACT equivalent is 33. Those are high marks. Most admitted students score somewhere between 1300-1460 on the SAT or 30-33 on the ACT, which gives you a sense of the competitive range.
Rochester has offered test-optional admissions in recent application cycles. If your scores fall below those ranges, a strong GPA and compelling application materials can still keep you in the running.
What the University of Rochester looks for
Rochester reviews applications holistically, weighing your transcript, test scores if submitted, teacher recommendations, and essays. Rigorous coursework, meaning AP, IB, or honors classes where available, signals that you are ready for the academic pace. A clear intellectual interest, something you can point to and say this is what I care about and why, tends to make an impression.
Extracurriculars matter, but depth counts more than breadth. A few activities you have invested real time in are more convincing than a long list of clubs you joined to fill space on an application.
Estimate your chances at the University of Rochester
CollegeCalcAI offers a free calculator that can give you a personalized estimate of your chances at the University of Rochester based on your GPA, test scores, and activities. It is free and takes just a few minutes. Check it out at collegecalcai.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Rochester's acceptance rate?
The University of Rochester accepts about 34% of applicants, making it a selective private university.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for the University of Rochester?
The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students is 1460 and the ACT is 33. Scoring in the 1300-1460 SAT or 30-33 ACT range makes you competitive. Rochester has been test-optional in recent years.
Is the University of Rochester hard to get into?
Yes. A 34% acceptance rate means most applicants are not admitted. Strong grades, rigorous coursework, and a well-crafted application all matter.
See your real odds at University of Rochester
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.