Rochester
Rochester SAT and ACT Requirements
Rochester is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. The middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored 1410 to 1540 on the SAT and 31 to 34 on the ACT.
2026-27 policy
Test-Optional
SAT middle 50%
1410–1540
ACT middle 50%
31–34
Acceptance rate
40%
Rochester SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 680 | 750 |
| Math | 730 | 790 |
| Total | 1410 | 1540 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 34 |
The total is the sum of the section percentiles, the standard way to estimate a middle 50% for the combined score.
Where your score puts you
- Below 1410: lower than three quarters of enrolled students. A retake has the most upside here, and at a test-optional school you can also leave the score off.
- 1410 to 1540: in line with the class. The rest of your application decides it.
- Above 1540: higher than three quarters of enrolled students. Testing is no longer what holds the application back.
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
Does Rochester require the SAT or ACT?
Rochester is test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Official policy: 'Applicants choosing not to submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration.' Rochester also offers a test-flexible alternative: applicants may submit AP, IB, or A-Level exam results in place of SAT/ACT if they prefer. No future change announced; page uses aspirational language about eventually not needing any test submissions.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester?
The published range is not a cutoff. Among enrolled first-year students, a quarter scored below 1410, half scored between 1410 and 1540, and a quarter scored above 1540. A score at or above 1540 puts you ahead of most of the class on testing; a score below 1410 works against you.
What ACT score do you need for Rochester?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 31 to 34 on the ACT. On the official conversion table that is an SAT 1400 to 1500.
Score ranges: College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. They describe students who enrolled, not everyone admitted. Test policy: Rochester admissions, verified for 2026-27.