U of R Admission Requirements
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U of R Admission Overview
U of R admission requirements are competitive. Last year U of R admitted 40.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (A-) and SAT 1410-1540 / ACT 31-34. U of R is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
U of R is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
U of R Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for University of Rochester
Acceptance Rate
The U of R acceptance rate is 40.1%. Last year, 8,570 of 21,384 applicants were admitted. That is the 21st lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 163rd lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into U of R and can you get accepted?
U of R is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
University of Rochester typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
U of R GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.75Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at U of R typically have around a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. U of R is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
23% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #17 in New York for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
U of R Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Rochester is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You may submit SAT or ACT scores, other exams such as AP, IB, or A-levels, or omit testing entirely, and choosing not to submit scores will not hurt admission or scholarship review. Applicants who include scores may self-report them; official reports are required only if you enroll. Rochester superscores the SAT and the ACT and does not require the SAT Essay or ACT Writing. Competitive programs such as REMS review applicants with or without test scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.rochester.edu/applying/testing-policies/
U of R SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1410-1540Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
19%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 730
- Composite 1410
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 750
- Math 790
- Composite 1540
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at U of R typically score around a 1480 SAT (middle 50% 1410–1540) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. U of R ranks #10 in the state of New York and #54 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1410 to 1540
SAT policy
U of R is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1480 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
U of R ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
31-34Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
6%25th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 30
- Composite 31
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 35
- Composite 34
Average ACT
Incoming testers at U of R typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. U of R places #10 among colleges in New York and #77 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34
ACT policy
You may apply to U of R without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
71% of University of Rochester freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the U of R chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Rochester and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 5, 2027Days left to Apply
127Applicants have 127 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Rochester is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
U of R is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 40.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1410-1540); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Rochester often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=195030.
GPA calculator: University of Rochester GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026