University of Rochester
University of Rochester — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Rochester at a Glance
The University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded in 1850 and moved into its current campus, next to the Genesee River, in 1930. With approximately 30,000 full-time employees, the university is the largest private employer in Upstate New York and the seventh-largest in all of New York State.
1850
176 years old
$3.8B
$3.83 billion (2025)
12,160
6,764 undergrad · 5,396 grad
3,253
707 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Rochester
Official admissions pageNovember 1 (Early decision I)
$50
Fee waiver available
1 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Interview
Fee waiver
Is University of Rochester Worth It?
University of Rochester offers moderate value at $29,278/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $79,042, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 85% graduation rate means roughly 15% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Rochester compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 5 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
| #2 | University of Rochester | 57 | $29,278 | $79,042 |
| #3 | Brandeis University | 47 | $35,736 | $77,231 |
| #4 | Case Western Reserve University | 46 | $41,190 | $87,989 |
| #5 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | 32 | $16,898 | $59,986 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Rochester's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Rochester
The highest-earning program at University of Rochester is Computer Science at $81,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $19,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Rochester earns $81,200, while a Music graduate earns $19,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $21,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,278/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $81,200 | $81,200 | $21,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,800 | $64,800 | $18,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,600 | $64,600 | $21,000 |
| Economics | $56,600 | $56,600 | $21,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $43,800 | $43,800 | $22,371 |
| Psychology, General | $34,700 | $34,700 | $23,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $22,760 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $23,000 |
| Music | $19,000 | $19,000 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Student Body
- 6,331 students
- Admission Rate
- 40%
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,278
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $79,042
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000