As a top research university, we are committed to educating the leaders of tomorrow and to the creation and dissemination of knowledge. Knowledge that leads to lifesaving treatments, technological advancements, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. As of 2021, only 146 universities in the US—3 percent—are designated as R1, meeting the Carnegie Foundation’s definition for the highest level of research activity.

This is not a new role for the University of Rochester. For more than six decades we have been a member of the American Association of Universities (AAU), a highly selective group of 69 public and private institutions in North America that are considered the highest echelon of universities for excellence in research production. We are also a long-standing member of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE), an organization of 39 top private liberal arts colleges and universities committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students.

Our position among these institutions means that we are able to attract the best faculty, staff, and students from around the world and are highly competitive in federal and private funding for our academic research. In essence, being an R1-AAU-COFHE university strengthens our ability to have the biggest impact as we frame and solve the greatest challenges of the future.