Selective2025-2026 admissions cycle

University of Rochester acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of Rochester, a private college in New York, reports a 40% acceptance rate and sits in the selective band. In practice that means it admits a minority of applicants, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what University of Rochester weighs, where it ranks among New York schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1460, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
40%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1460
of admitted students
Type
Private
New York
Selectivity in state
#10
of 59 in NY
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Will I get into University of Rochester?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Rochester, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into University of Rochester?

Your odds at University of Rochester are not the same as its 40% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Rochester in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is University of Rochester hard to get into?

University of Rochester is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 40% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.

What GPA do you need to get into University of Rochester?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Rochester, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. University of Rochester reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for University of Rochester?

University of Rochester does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1460. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of Rochester.

Calculate your chances at University of Rochester

What University of Rochester looks for

What University of Rochester weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at University of Rochester are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Rochester's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Important

SAT score positioning at University of Rochester

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Rochester
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1450 SAT →Colleges for a 33 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How University of Rochester compares in New York

University of Rochester ranks #10 most selective of 59 schools in New York in our database.

Among the 59 New York schools we track, University of Rochester ranks #10 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Columbia University (4%) and Cornell University (9%) sit nearby, which makes New York a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Columbia University
4%acceptance · NY
Cornell University
9%acceptance · NY
New York University
9%acceptance · NY
U.S. Military Academy
12%acceptance · NY
Colgate University
14%acceptance · NY
Hamilton College
14%acceptance · NY
Vassar College
19%acceptance · NY
Skidmore College
21%acceptance · NY
See all New York schools →

Similar to University of Rochester

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting University of Rochester often weigh Clark University, University of Tampa, and Carolina University, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Clark University
40%acceptance · MA
University of Tampa
40%acceptance · FL
Carolina University
40%acceptance · NC
Paul Quinn College
40%acceptance · TX
Howard University
41%acceptance · DC
Brandeis University
41%acceptance · MA

Frequently asked questions

What does University of Rochester value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Rochester weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does University of Rochester consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. University of Rochester's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at University of Rochester?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Rochester specifically.

Is University of Rochester a target or a reach for an average applicant?

For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near University of Rochester's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.