University of Rochester Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

The University of Rochester admitted 9,056 students out of 21,609 applicants for the Class of 2029, yielding a 41.91% acceptance rate. For the Class of 2030, Rochester has not yet released its full admissions figures, and that data is expected later this year.

In this blog, we’ll walk through Rochester’s latest overall, early, regular, transfer, and waitlist acceptance rates and see how they’ve changed over time.

• University of Rochester Acceptance Rates
• University of Rochester Early Decision Acceptance Rate
• University of Rochester Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
• University of Rochester Transfer Acceptance Rate
• University of Rochester Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

University of Rochester Acceptance Rates

The University of Rochester’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 came in at 41.91%, a modest increase from 40.08% for the Class of 2028. Applications held relatively steady at 21,609, while admitted students grew from 8,570 to 9,056. Here’s the data over the past several years:

Note: All data has been compiled from the University of Rochester’s Common Data Set.

Unlike many universities that saw application volumes double over the past decade, Rochester’s applicant pool has stayed relatively stable, ranging from about 19,500 to 21,700.

Rochester’s acceptance rate has fluctuated accordingly, dipping to a low of 35.43% for the Class of 2024 before climbing back above 40% for the Classes of 2025, 2028, and 2029. The Class of 2027 stands out as the most selective year on record, with 7,773 admits out of 21,680 applicants for a 35.85% rate, despite a larger pool than earlier classes.

University of Rochester Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The most recent Early Decision (ED) data comes from the Class of 2029, when the University of Rochester received 1,129 ED applications and admitted 472 students for a 41.81% ED acceptance rate. This was up from 38.05% for the Class of 2028, when 527 students were admitted from 1,385 applicants.

Rochester has not yet released ED figures for the Class of 2030. That data is expected later this year alongside the full admissions breakdown for the incoming class.

University of Rochester Early Decision acceptance rate trends

Rochester’s ED acceptance rate has stayed relatively stable over the past several cycles, though application volume has declined. Here’s a breakdown:

Note: All data has been compiled from the University of Rochester’s Common Data Set and reflects combined ED I and ED II figures. To learn more about Rochester’s ED policies, visit the university’s official Early Decision page.

ED applications peaked at 1,698 for the Class of 2027 before declining to 1,129 for the Class of 2029. Admits have followed a similar downward trend, from 666 for the Class of 2027 to 472 for the Class of 2029.

Rochester’s ED acceptance rate has ranged from 38.05% to 44.97% across the available cycles. Unlike most universities where applying early offers a clear statistical advantage, Rochester’s ED rate closely tracks its overall rate. For the Class of 2029, for example, the two figures differ by less than a tenth of a percentage point.

University of Rochester Regular Decision Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2029, the University of Rochester received 20,480 Regular Decision (RD) applications and admitted 8,584 students, yielding a 41.91% RD acceptance rate. That’s up from 40.22% for the Class of 2028, when 19,999 applicants competed for 8,043 spots.

Rochester has not yet released RD figures for the Class of 2030. Full admissions data is expected later this year.

University of Rochester Regular Decision acceptance rate trends

Rochester’s RD acceptance rate has fluctuated within a moderate range over the past several cycles. Here’s a breakdown:

Note: All data has been compiled from the University of Rochester’s Common Data Set. RD figures are estimates derived by subtracting ED data from overall totals.

Rochester’s RD applications have grown steadily, from 18,202 for the Class of 2025 to 20,480 for the Class of 2029. The RD acceptance rate, meanwhile, dipped to its lowest point at 35.57% for the Class of 2027 before climbing back above 40% for the Classes of 2028 and 2029.

As with the ED rate, Rochester’s RD figures track closely with its overall acceptance rate, which is a pattern that sets it apart from most universities where the gap between early and regular rates is more pronounced.

University of Rochester Transfer Acceptance Rate

In Fall 2025, the University of Rochester’s transfer acceptance rate was 37.82%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2025 transfer data is from the University of Rochester’s Common Data Set for 2025–2026, the same reporting document that includes Class of 2029 first-year admissions data.

Rochester’s transfer acceptance rate of 37.82% falls somewhat below its 41.91% overall first-year rate for the Class of 2029. The applicant pool is also considerably smaller (809 transfer applicants compared to over 21,000 first-year applicants) making it a more contained but still competitive process. For students looking to transfer into Rochester, the odds are reasonably favorable relative to many peer institutions.

University of Rochester Waitlist Acceptance Rate

The most recent waitlist data comes from the Class of 2029, when the University of Rochester had a waitlist acceptance rate of 35.36%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Waitlist data is sourced from the University of Rochester’s Common Data Set.

The Class of 2029’s 35.36% waitlist acceptance rate reflects a relatively active waitlist, but the Class of 2028 shows how quickly things can shift. That year, 123 students were admitted from 934 confirmed waitlisted applicants, a 13.17% rate.

The difference between these two years comes down to enrollment yield. When more admitted students choose to enroll, fewer waitlist spots open up. If you’re waitlisted, your best move is to submit a letter of continued interest and keep your other options open.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University of Rochester’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed acceptance rate is 41.91% for the Class of 2029. Rochester received 21,609 applications and admitted 9,056 students.

2. Does applying Early Decision improve your chances at the University of Rochester?

Not by much, based on the available data. Rochester’s ED acceptance rate has ranged from 38.05% to 44.97% in recent cycles, closely tracking its overall acceptance rate. That said, ED applicants tend to be among the most committed and competitive in the pool.

3. How competitive is it to transfer to the University of Rochester?

In Fall 2025, Rochester admitted 306 out of 809 transfer applicants, a 37.82% transfer acceptance rate. That’s somewhat below its first-year rate but still relatively favorable compared to many peer institutions.

4. What are my chances of getting off Rochester’s waitlist?

It varies considerably by year. The waitlist acceptance rate was 35.36% for the Class of 2029 and 13.17% for the Class of 2028. The outcome depends on how many admitted students choose to enroll, which shifts from year to year.

5. Is the University of Rochester highly selective?

Rochester sits in a moderately selective range, with an overall acceptance rate hovering between 35% and 42% in recent years. Its lowest recorded rate in the available data was 35.43% for the Class of 2024. While it admits a larger share of applicants than many elite private universities, the academic profile of admitted students remains competitive.

Takeaways

• The University of Rochester’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 is 41.91%, based on 21,609 applications and 9,056 admits.
• Rochester’s acceptance rate has fluctuated within a moderate range over the past several cycles, dipping to a low of 35.43% for the Class of 2024 before climbing back above 40% for the Classes of 2025, 2028, and 2029.
• Applying ED offers little statistical advantage at Rochester. ED acceptance rates have closely mirrored overall rates across all available cycles, with a difference of less than a tenth of a percentage point for the Class of 2029.
• Transfer admissions are reasonably accessible, with a 37.82% acceptance rate in Fall 2025, though the pool is considerably smaller than first-year admissions.
• Waitlist outcomes vary sharply year to year. The acceptance rate was 35.36% for the Class of 2029 and 13.17% for the Class of 2028.
• Given the competition, working with a college admissions expert can help you build a stronger application and put your best case forward.