Education

Nineteen colleges and universities fuel our future talent pipeline.

Photo by Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY Education Information

The Greater Rochester, NY region is home to 19 exceptional colleges and universities with nearly 72,000 students and more than 17,500 graduates per year. Colleges in Rochester, NY attract some of the best minds in the country. Each of these institutions provides unsurpassed learning opportunities.

U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks many of Rochester’s public high schools among the best in the nation. With our brains and impressive assets, you’re sure to succeed. 

Build Strong Foundations Through Quality Education

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 years and olderRochester, NY MSANational Average
Some college, no degree17.4%20.3%
Associate’s degree12.1%8.6%
Bachelor’s degree19.7%20.2%
Graduate or professional degree15.9%12.7%
% High school graduate or higher90.8%88.5%
% Bachelor’s degree or higher35.6%32.9%
Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2021

In addition to the high quality of education, our local workforce is highly-skilled and productive. More than 90% have a high school degree or equivalent, and 65% have some college education. Employers also give the local workforce high marks for work ethic, productivity compared to other company locations, and punctuality.

Greater Rochester, NY Education By the Numbers 

9 Public High Schools Rated Among Best in the Nation

– U.S. News and World Report 2023 


Top 10 Smartest Cities

– The Daily Beast 


90% of Residents Have a High School Degree or Equivalent


65% of Residents Have Some College Education

Paving the Way in Education

4 Year Grad/Institutions
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITYTOTAL ENROLLMENT FALL 2021DEGREES GRANTED 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR
Rochester Institute of Technology16,7903,926
University of Rochester12,0393,853
State University of New York at Brockport6,9912,235
State University of New York at Geneseo4,5351,256
St. John Fisher University3,5391,064
Nazareth University2,639865
Medaille College*1,782N/A
Hobart and William Smith Colleges1,684517
Roberts Wesleyan College1,662606
Keuka College1,287548
Northeast College of Health Sciences569263
SUNY Empire State College – Genesee Valley*556N/A
Northeastern Seminary21928
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry11525
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School4411
Subtotal 4-Year/Grad Institutions54,45115,197
2 Year Grad/Institutions
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITYTOTAL ENROLLMENT FALL 2021DEGREES GRANTED 2020-21 ACADEMIC YEAR
Monroe Community College8,7211,794
Finger Lakes Community College5,414613
Genesee Community College4,472633
Bryant & Stratton College70890
Subtotal 2-Year Institutions19,3153,130
Total 4-Year and 2-Year Institutions73,76618,327
Source: US Department of Education, Institute of Educational Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics (Fall 2021); Rochester Business Journal*; Total enrollment includes all undergraduate enrollment

Rochester, NY Attracts Talent

Several highly respected colleges and universities can be found in the Rochester area. Graduates from colleges in Rochester often accept jobs in the region, resulting in a highly skilled talent pool.

In close proximity to the Rochester area are other highly respected colleges and universities, whose graduates often accept jobs in the Rochester region.  They include: 
Alfred UniversityCanisius CollegeCornell University, D’Youville UniversityMedaille UniversitySyracuse UniversityWells CollegeNYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University, State University of Technology at AlfredState University of New York at Buffalo, and Buffalo State College

K-12 STEM Education Partnerships

Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way(PLTW) is the nation’s single largest provider of K-12 STEM curricula. Rochester Institute of Technology was the first university to partner with PLTW, in 1996. 


Pathways in Technology

Pathways in Technology (PTECH) Early College High School is a collaboration between the Rochester City School District and Monroe Community College. The program preps students for careers in IT and allows them to earn an associate degree at no cost, along with their high school diploma.


RIT K-12 Academy 

RIT K-12 Academy provides cutting-edge summer STEM programs for students such as Robocamp, Bioscience camp, Women in Computing, 3D Digital Graphics Modelling for Games, and coding workshops.


FIRST Robotics

The Rochester region is home to more than 115 FIRST teams. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is universally recognized as the leading, not-for-profit STEM engagement program for kids at all grade levels worldwide. 


iCanCode

iCanCode is an after-school coding club for students in grades 2-10 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester and St. Joseph School. ICanCode also offers year-round academic enrichment programs in computer programming.


Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program logo

Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program

Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program helps high school students learn about different advanced manufacturing trade skills and associated career opportunities available in the Greater Rochester, NY region. Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program matches students with employers that have job openings in specific trades.


Relevant Documents

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