The University is dedicating $150 million toward its commitment to affordability through merit- and need-based programs.
The University of Rochester Board of Trustees has approved the undergraduate tuition rates, housing and food fees, and financial aid for the 2026–27 academic year for the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS), Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Simon Business School, and Eastman School of Music. Tuition for undergraduates will increase by 3.9 percent to $71,750. Housing and food will increase 4.2 percent to $21,326.
URochester meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students who earn admission into SAS, Simon, and Hajim, while at the same time awarding a robust merit scholarship program that recognizes academic achievement regardless of financial need —one of the very few US private institutions committed to this level of accessibility. This year, $150 million is dedicated to the University’s commitment to affordability through merit- and need-based programs.
At the Eastman School of Music, $23 million is made available for both merit and need-based grants and scholarships to support undergraduate students.
Each year, the Board of Trustees is presented with a proposal for determining the annual tuition rates based on a careful evaluation of available revenue sources, projected operating costs and efficiencies, and the expected number of enrolled students. Tuition supports URochester’s work to provide students with the best educational experiences with a wide range of programs, services, and facilities that benefit all students.
Rochester’s ongoing commitment to access and affordability
Launched this past fall, the UR Essentials program eliminates the added expense of textbooks and select course materials by incorporating the cost into the full-time undergraduate tuition rate. The program also streamlines the student experience by ensuring all required course materials are delivered to students before classes begin.
URochester is nationally recognized for delivering outstanding value, with robust financial aid programs that earned the University a No. 28 ranking among National Universities in US News & World Report Best Value Schools. Less than 40 percent of all undergraduates take out any form of federal loan by graduation. The average total federal loan debt among those in the Class of 2025 who did borrow was $17,677.
Approved tuition rates at the University’s schools
Undergraduate students and families can view the University’s costs, financial aid, and other institutional figures on the University’s Office of Financial Aid site. The Board-approved 2026–27 tuition rates for the University’s undergraduate and graduate programs will soon be available online at the Office of the Bursar’s website.