Admit rate has ranged 67%–100% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Roberts Wesleyan University is a small, Christian liberal arts college in Rochester, NY, where a 71% acceptance rate and a 'test-optional' policy signal an accessible, student-focused admissions approach. The campus culture is defined by its spiritual mission and a notably strict code of conduct, which shapes a quiet, residential experience for the majority of its students. While its academic offerings span over 50 majors, the school's identity is firmly rooted in integrating faith with learning, preparing graduates for careers where a reported 81% earn more than a high school graduate.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,149
In-state tuition
$38,826
Out-of-state tuition
$38,826
Graduation Rate
67%
On-Campus Housing
61%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$55,031
Classes Under 20 Students
78.3%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,031
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
Graduation rate
67%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
64%
Pell (lower-income) share
35%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
27%
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$63,005
Human Resources Management and Services$32,925
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
22°F
Annual rain
43.2"
Annual snow
44.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Roberts Wesleyan University?
Roberts Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 71% (Rochester, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Roberts Wesleyan University?
Admitted students at Roberts Wesleyan University typically score 990–1305 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Roberts Wesleyan University cost?
At Roberts Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,130 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Roberts Wesleyan University?
Roberts Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 1,149 undergraduate students.
Where is Roberts Wesleyan University located?
Roberts Wesleyan University is located in Rochester, NY.
Admissions
Roberts Wesleyan operates with a notably accessible admissions process, explicitly stating on its website that applicants with a GPA of 2.8 or higher are 'on track' for admission. The university is , allowing students to decide whether to submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. For those who do submit, the middle 50% SAT range is 990–1305. The admissions —the percentage of admitted students who enroll—has seen a decline over the past decade, falling from 27.44% in 2015 to 19.03% more recently. This suggests that while gaining admission is relatively straightforward, convincing students to choose Roberts Wesleyan is increasingly competitive.
Selectivity: The is consistently reported around 70-71%.
Academic Profile: The admitted student pool includes a significant portion with strong GPAs, with 49% reporting a GPA of 3.75 or higher and another 15% in the 3.50–3.74 range.
Policy: The test-optional policy and clear GPA benchmark reflect a pragmatic approach aimed at broadening access.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Academics at Roberts Wesleyan are delivered through a distinctly intimate lens, with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and 78.3% of classes having fewer than 20 students. The university offers over 50 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs through its traditional undergraduate division. Every program is described as being 'rooted in Roberts Wesleyan University's mission,' emphasizing the integration of knowledge and skills with spiritual depth. While faculty are noted for being supportive academically, some external reviews suggest that students could benefit from more robust career-oriented guidance as they prepare to transition beyond college.
Life on the suburban Rochester campus is heavily residential and governed by a conservative Christian code of conduct. A majority of students (61%) live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The university forbids alcohol and marijuana use for all students, including those 21 and over, even off campus—a policy that, according to student anecdotes, contributes to a campus with 'no parties or social events at all.' Student life is officially channeled through campus activities, clubs, leadership teams, and spiritual life programs. The environment is one of structured engagement, where the 'spiritual life' component is a central pillar of the experience, rather than a typical collegiate social scene.
Roberts Wesleyan reports a six-year graduation rate that places it in the top 40% of institutions. For recent graduates, outcomes data shows strong early-career traction: 81% of Roberts alumni earn more than a typical high school graduate. Median earnings one year after graduation are reported at $58,024. The university also tracks success specifically for its student-athletes, who boast an Academic Success Rate of 83%, significantly higher than the general student body graduation rate.
The —the average cost after grants and scholarships are applied—is a key figure for prospective families. For incoming freshmen, the average grants and scholarship package for the 2025-26 academic year was $23,345. One source reports the net price as $24,202 after scholarships and grants, with 80.4% of students receiving financial aid and an average aid package of $33,836. Students also have access to federal loan programs, with dependent undergraduates eligible for up to $31,000 in federal student loans (up to $23,000 of which can be subsidized). The university encourages the use of its Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates.
Roberts Wesleyan carves out a distinct niche by unapologetically fusing a Christian liberal arts education with a practical, career-focused approach. It’s not for everyone—the strictly enforced lifestyle rules and quiet campus will deter students seeking a traditional party scene. But for those aligned with its values, it offers a tight-knit, supportive academic environment with remarkably small classes. The university’s transparency is also notable: from clearly stating a 2.8 GPA benchmark for admission to publishing detailed athlete graduation success rates, it projects an ethos of straightforward, mission-driven education. Its strength lies in serving a specific student—one looking for a faith-based foundation, close faculty mentorship, and a direct path to stable early-career earnings, all within the context of a residential campus in upstate New York.
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