Admit rate has ranged 64%–73% 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.
St. John Fisher University is a small, private Catholic university in Rochester, NY, with a tight-knit campus culture and a pragmatic focus on career-ready programs—especially nursing, business, and the sciences. With a 66% acceptance rate and an average class size of 20-25, Fisher offers a balance of accessibility and personal attention, though its $28K+ net price and middling national rankings place it squarely in the regional-college tier.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
2,565
In-state tuition
$41,190
Out-of-state tuition
$41,190
Top Major
Nursing
Campus Housing
58% of students
Acceptance Rate
66%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
74%
Median Early-Career Salary
$51,900
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$66,944
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
74%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
25%
Endowment / student
$58,882
Financial health
2.4 / 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$62,253
Finance and Financial Management Services$50,022
Accounting and Related Services$43,128
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$42,908
Marketing$42,012
Economics
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
5
Per 1,000 students
1.95
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
23°F
Annual rain
42.7"
Annual snow
44.8"
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 St. John Fisher University?
St. John Fisher University's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Rochester, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for St. John Fisher University?
Admitted students at St. John Fisher University typically score 1120–1300 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does St. John Fisher University cost?
At St. John Fisher University, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,945 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend St. John Fisher University?
St. John Fisher University enrolls approximately 2,565 undergraduate students.
Where is St. John Fisher University located?
St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY.
Admissions
Fisher’s admissions process leans accessible but not indiscriminate: the 66% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (68% for women, 64% for men) reflects a moderately selective approach. Middle-50% test scores land at 1135–1290 SAT or 23–28 ACT, with admitted students typically holding GPAs above 3.75. The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., though test scores remain a factor (SAT code 2798, ACT code 2886). Notably, Fisher’s YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem.—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—hovers around 50%, suggesting it’s often a safety or backup choice for applicants.
Fisher’s academic identity orbits around practical, career-aligned programs, with nursing (181 graduates annually) dominating the roster alongside biology, psychology, and finance. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio and 40% of classes under 20 students reinforce its small-college feel. The curriculum spans humanities to pharmaceutical studies, but the vibe is decidedly unpretentious—think more 'applied skills' than 'theoretical exploration.' Recent growth, per the university’s own reports, has focused on modernizing facilities rather than expanding into esoteric disciplines.
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.
$41,565
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,017
Human Resources Management and Services$40,017
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.
Campus life skews traditional: 58% of students live on campus, athletics are a draw (Division III, no football team), and the university touts 'modern spaces for student engagement'—code for renovated lounges and dining halls. The vibe is commuter-friendly but not commuter-dominated, with Rochester’s suburbs offering more than its downtown. Policies emphasize 'respect' and 'community,' though the handbook language feels boilerplate. Don’t expect a party-school reputation; Fisher’s social scene is low-key, with Greek life virtually absent.
Fisher’s 74% six-year graduation rate outpaces national averages, with alumni reporting solid early-career salaries ($51,900 median for bachelor’s holders). Nursing grads likely pull those numbers up—the program’s rigor and regional hospital partnerships (Rochester General, Strong Memorial) feed a reliable pipeline. That said, WalletHub’s No. 326 national ranking and middling Pell Grant grad rates (53%) hint at limitations for low-income students. The takeaway: Fisher delivers on its promise of employability, but don’t expect Ivy League-level ROI.
At $28,969 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after aid), Fisher isn’t cheap—but 75% of students receive financial aid, averaging $30,592 per package. The calculus here is regional: compared to SUNY schools, Fisher’s Catholic-affiliated education commands a premium; compared to pricier private colleges, it’s a relative bargain. Merit scholarships are available, though the Net Price Calculator’s estimates come with the usual caveats. Bottom line: expect to pay near-sticker price unless you’re a top applicant or demonstrate significant need.
Fisher’s edge lies in its hyper-practicality: no frills, no pretension, just a straightforward path to degrees that get jobs (especially in healthcare). The nursing program’s dominance gives the campus a scrubs-and-stethoscopes vibe, while the small classes ensure professors know your name—if not your life story. It’s the kind of school where 'community' isn’t just marketing speak, but also where ambition beyond Rochester might feel stifling. Ideal for students who want a supportive, no-surprises college experience with clear ROI.
St. John Fisher University logo · sourceSt. John Fisher University | College of Distinction · sourceSt. John Fisher University - Niche · sourceSt. John Fisher University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
