by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a RCU degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how RCU measures up.
RCU is ranked #1,864 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of D-. Within Michigan, it ranks #56 of 77 for value.
Among the majors RCU offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | #126 of 211 |
| Business Administration / Management | #224 of 457 |
| Organizational Leadership | #224 of 457 |
| Secondary Education | #248 of 404 |
| Teacher Education | #248 of 404 |
| Early Childhood Education | #314 of 446 |
| Communications / Public Relations | #362 of 620 |
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | #505 of 789 |
| Nursing | #584 of 966 |
| General Psychology | #592 of 1,068 |
Below is the detailed RCU value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Rochester University is ranked #53 out of #80 in Michigan for quality and #56 out of #77 for Michigan value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the RCU financial aid page to be sure.
Rochester University is ranked #1,864 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Rochester University is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at RCU costs about $22,646. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $90,583 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $41,285 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $21,456 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $22,646 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,583 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the RCU net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a RCU degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $165,140 | — | — |
| All Students | $90,583 | #1,864 | D- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $85,824 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $165,140 | — | — |
| All Students | $90,583 | #56 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $85,824 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at RCU shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $15,716 |
| $30K–$48K | $13,338 |
| $48K–$75K | $19,451 |
| $75K–$110K | $22,280 |
| Over $110K | $21,860 |
About 94% of RCU undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $15,468 per year. Get more details on the RCU financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the RCU net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.