At $19,245/yr net price, Rochester University graduates earn $48,707/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,707/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,245 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,980 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,707/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,707/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,475 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,716/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,338/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,451/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,280/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,860/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,619 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $27,317 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $22,376 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $32,284 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $24,837 |
The Risk Factor
41.4% of students at Rochester University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Rochester University gives you a mixed financial return that leans risky. Median earnings ten years out sit at $48,707, only modestly above the debt you take on, and a 41% graduation rate means you have a real chance of paying for years without walking away with a degree. The 67% retention rate compounds that risk: one in three first-year students does not come back.
Nursing is the clear payoff here. At $57,619, it out-earns every other program by roughly $20,000, though it also carries the highest debt at $31,000. If you commit to nursing and finish, the math works. Business administration and accounting both land at $38,289, which barely clears the debt you carry and leaves you close to the earnings floor. Communication pays about the same but with lighter debt. Human development sits at the bottom at $32,284, and at that salary the roughly $19,000 yearly net price is hard to justify.
Your specific risk is starting a low-earning major and not finishing. With four of the five listed programs paying under $39,000, the degree only pays off if it's nursing or if you graduate on time and avoid extra semesters of net price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,000-$15,700, less than families earning over $75,000, who pay above $22,000. That inversion means middle and upper-middle income families carry the heaviest cost with no earnings premium to match it.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided, drawn to business, communication, or human development, or from a household earning over $75,000, the numbers argue for looking elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester University worth the cost?
Rochester University's value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $57,619 annually, making the $24,475 median debt manageable, but other programs like communication studies ($37,208) and human development ($32,284) offer weaker returns on investment.
What is the ROI for Rochester University graduates?
Rochester University graduates earn a median of $48,707 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $24,475. The nursing program provides the strongest ROI, while liberal arts and social service programs show lower earning potential relative to cost.
How much debt do Rochester University students graduate with?
The median debt at Rochester University is $24,475, which is reasonable if you pursue high-earning fields like nursing. However, with a 41% graduation rate, many students leave without a degree but still carry debt.
Which Rochester University programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Rochester University offer the strongest career outcomes with graduates earning $57,619 annually. Business and accounting graduates earn around $38,289, while communication and human services majors face more challenging job markets with lower starting salaries.