Rochester, NY · Private University
Is University of Rochester Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$79,042
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,348
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,348
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$257,392
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.23x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
84.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$30,248
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Rochester graduates earn $34,042 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Rochester ranked by graduate earnings
80 graduates
46 graduates
47 graduates
22 graduates
31 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Rochester
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Rochester, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $136,559) and the lowest (Music: $27,441) is $109,118/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $136,559 | 2.1x |
| Mathematics | $119,738 | 1.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $103,652 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $86,785 | 1.4x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $86,302 | 1.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $85,039 | 1.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $83,708 | 1.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,297 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $71,957 | 1.1x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $68,347 | 1.1x |
| Social Sciences, Other | $61,172 | 0.9x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $56,463 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $53,650 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $52,937 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,046 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $38,762 | 0.6x |
| MusicLowest | $27,441 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rochester | 1.23x | $79,042 | Average ROI |
| Brandeis University | 1.19x | $77,231 | Average ROI |
| Case Western Reserve University | 1.36x | $87,989 | Average ROI |
| Oberlin College | 0.90x | $58,343 | Below Average |
| Lafayette College | 1.46x | $91,410 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Rochester delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $79,042 10 years after starting — $34,042 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.