Is Rochester test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1470 and hold it if it's under.

What is Rochester's acceptance rate?

40% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 8,570 of 21,384 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 19%, from 17,912 in 2015 to 21,384 in 2024, and Rochester's admit rate went from 34% to 40%.

What ACT score do you need for Rochester?

First-year students who sent an ACT scored 32–34, with a median of 33. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1420–1500 works out to about 32–34.

Why might Rochester's SAT range look high?

Only 19% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

What GPA do you need for Rochester?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.72 high school GPA, and 71% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Rochester?

123 of the 934 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 13%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Rochester? (Middle 50%: 1420–1500)

First-year students at Rochester who sent an SAT scored 1420–1500, with a median of 1470 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Rochester admits 40% of applicants and is test optional.

University of Rochester · Rochester, NY

Where your score lands at Rochester

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1420–1500, median 1470

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Rochester is for you and whether to send your score.

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Rochester by the numbers

Admit rate: 40%
Middle 50% SAT: 1420–1500
Median SAT: 1470
About on the ACT: 32–34
Sent an SAT: 19%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Rochester admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Rochester admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 19%, from 17,912 in 2015 to 21,384 in 2024, and Rochester's admit rate went from 34% to 40%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	21,384	8,570	40%
2023	21,680	7,773	36%
2022	19,966	7,768	39%
2021	19,543	7,924	41%
2020	19,607	6,947	35%
2019	21,642	6,430	30%
2018	21,255	6,253	29%
2017	19,058	6,520	34%
2016	17,485	6,213	36%
2015	17,912	6,058	34%

In fall 2024, 1,317 of the 8,570 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Rochester

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1370Far reachHold
1370–1410ReachHold
1420–1460TargetHold
1470 and upTargetSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Rochester SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	730	770	790
SAT Reading and Writing	680	720	750
SAT total	1420	1470	1500
ACT composite	32	33	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 19% sent an SAT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Average high school GPA: 3.72
Top 10% of their class: 71%; of new students who reported a rank

Rochester waitlist

Waitlist

1,696 applicants were offered a spot, 934 took it, and 123 were admitted from it.

13%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Rochester cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $29,278; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 85%
Median earnings: $79,042; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 7,447

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Rochester

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

Rochester Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Rochester admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Rochester website
University of Rochester

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1420–1500, and the median was 1470. At 1470 or higher you're above half of them. Rochester admits 40% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$