Christian School CompassTrue north for Christian families.
Roberts Wesleyan University: Chesbrough seminary ny 1910
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Christian college

Roberts Wesleyan University

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Methodist and Wesleyan

Real cost

Average price after aid $23,130 a year

Median debt at graduation: $23,750 (all students)

Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator

Roberts Wesleyan University, in Rochester, New York, runs a Spiritual Life Office with a campus pastor, monthly student-led Sunday chapels, a Monday chapel series and student community groups. The shared core requires Old Testament and New Testament courses of every student, and a Biblical Studies major is offered. Missions trips are offered each year.

Faith life at a glance

In the college’s own words

  • “Each Monday, we start the week off by creating space and time for our Roberts community to worship and learn together.”

    Source: roberts.edu

  • “Community Groups are small campus groups that are centered around biblical content that fosters discussion and community.”

    Source: roberts.edu

Questions students ask

Do I have to go to chapel?

Full-time freshmen, sophomores and juniors must earn 20 spiritual life credits each semester.

Source: roberts.edu
What's a normal week?

Each Monday the community gathers to worship and learn together, and student-led chapels are held monthly on Sunday evenings.

Source: roberts.edu
Where do I find community?

Community Groups are small campus groups centered on biblical content and discussion.

Source: roberts.edu
Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Student groups can bring a proposal to the Spiritual Life Office for a charity project.

Source: roberts.edu

Rankings

Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our faith research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list

In America

Academic Excellence

B+Academic Excellence: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
75 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.67%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.84%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,170
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.7 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$9,214

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

DWorship and chapel: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Worship and chapel

51 of 100 points · 4 of 7 found

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Chapel services during the weekNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Chapel attendance expected of studentsRequired, with a set number of services each term (Full-time freshmen, sophomores and juniors must earn 20 spiritual life credits each semester; seniors must earn 10.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “full-time freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are required to obtain at least 20 spiritual life credits this semester”
      Full-time students are required to earn a set number of spiritual life credits each semester.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Student worship nights or praise servicesNow and then (Sunday evening student-led chapels are held monthly.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Sunday Evening Monthly Student-Led Chapels”
      Student-led chapels are held on Sunday evenings monthly, and the Office of Spiritual Life is the contact for events.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (Prayer Partners community prays for students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Join a community that prays for our students, faculty, staff, and leadership.”
      A Prayer Partners community prays for students, faculty and staff.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsPart-time (The leadership page lists Pastor Joey Maldonado as Campus Pastor.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Roberts Wesleyan University's Leadershiproberts.edu/about/leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Pastor Joey Maldonado Campus Pastor”
      Pastor Joey Maldonado is listed as Campus Pastor.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    A chapel or worship space on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayerNot enough information: no verified chapel or worship times are recorded.
BBible and theology: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Bible and theology

78 of 100 points · 5 of 6 found

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students2 courses (Shared core, required of all students: BIBL 1010 Encountering the Old Testament and BIBL 1020 Engaging the New Testament.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Curriculum Requirements | Roberts Wesleyan 2026-27 Undergraduate Catalogroberts.edu/catalog?id=9624 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “BIBL 1010 - Encountering the Old Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1010 Encountering the Old Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
      “BIBL 1020 - Engaging the New Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1020 Engaging the New Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Curriculum Requirements | Roberts Wesleyan 2026-27 Undergraduate Catalogroberts.edu/catalog?id=9624 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “BIBL 1010 - Encountering the Old Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1010 Encountering the Old Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
      “BIBL 1020 - Engaging the New Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1020 Engaging the New Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNone required (The Faith and Culture focus is an optional choice.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Curriculum Requirements | Roberts Wesleyan 2026-27 Undergraduate Catalogroberts.edu/catalog?id=9624 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “All students are required to meet these specific requirements.”
      The shared core lists the requirements every student must meet; no worldview or faith course is in that list.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (Undergraduate catalog states the university is committed to integrating a Christian worldview with learning.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/catalog?id=9522 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The University is committed to integrating a Christian worldview with learning”
      The undergraduate catalog states a commitment to integrating a Christian worldview with learning.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes
    Sources (1)
    1. School of Theology | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/schools/theology · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Traditional Undergraduate Majors”
      Biblical Studies is listed among the traditional undergraduate majors in the School of Theology.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    A published statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
BChristian community: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Christian community

77 of 100 points · 4 of 7 found

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (One named professional ministry staff member (Campus Pastor) on the leadership page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Roberts Wesleyan University's Leadershiproberts.edu/about/leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Pastor Joey Maldonado Campus Pastor”
      Pastor Joey Maldonado is listed as Campus Pastor.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsMany (Community Groups (small campus groups centered on biblical content), small groups and Bible studies, ministry groups.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The Office of Spiritual Life provides”
      The Office of Spiritual Life provides campus spiritual formation, personal counsel and connections to area churches, ministry and small groups.
    2. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Community Groups are small campus groups that are centered around biblical content that fosters discussion and community.”
      Community Groups are small campus groups centered on biblical content.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Yes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The Office of Spiritual Life provides”
      The Office of Spiritual Life provides campus spiritual formation, personal counsel and connections to area churches, ministry and small groups.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “The Office of Spiritual Life provides”
      The Office of Spiritual Life provides campus spiritual formation, personal counsel and connections to area churches, ministry and small groups.
BMissions and service: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Missions and service

70 of 100 points · 5 of 6 found

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service or outreach officeYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Missions | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “As followers of Christ, we are called to selflessly reach out to the poor in spirit”
      The missions program is rooted in Christian calling, and the university offers missions trips each year, including trips abroad.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumAvailable
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Student groups who find a meaningful way to demonstrate Christ’s love in action with a formal charity may bring the proposal to the Spiritual Life Office”
      Student groups may propose service projects to the Spiritual Life Office for up to 2 spiritual life credits.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Missions trips offered to studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceSome
    Sources (1)
    1. Missions | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “As followers of Christ, we are called to selflessly reach out to the poor in spirit”
      The missions program is rooted in Christian calling, and the university offers missions trips each year, including trips abroad.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome
    Sources (1)
    1. Missions | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “As followers of Christ, we are called to selflessly reach out to the poor in spirit”
      The missions program is rooted in Christian calling, and the university offers missions trips each year, including trips abroad.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Missions | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “As followers of Christ, we are called to selflessly reach out to the poor in spirit”
      The missions program is rooted in Christian calling, and the university offers missions trips each year, including trips abroad.

Strengths

  • Every student takes Encountering the Old Testament and Engaging the New Testament in the shared core.
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Curriculum Requirements | Roberts Wesleyan 2026-27 Undergraduate Catalogroberts.edu/catalog?id=9624 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “BIBL 1010 - Encountering the Old Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1010 Encountering the Old Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
      “BIBL 1020 - Engaging the New Testament (3 credits)”
      BIBL 1020 Engaging the New Testament is required of all students in the shared core.
  • A Biblical Studies major is among the traditional undergraduate majors.
    Sources (1)
    1. School of Theology | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/schools/theology · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Traditional Undergraduate Majors”
      Biblical Studies is listed among the traditional undergraduate majors in the School of Theology.
  • Student Community Groups centered on biblical content meet on campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Community Groups are small campus groups that are centered around biblical content that fosters discussion and community.”
      Community Groups are small campus groups centered on biblical content.
  • Missions trips are offered each year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Missions | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “As followers of Christ, we are called to selflessly reach out to the poor in spirit”
      The missions program is rooted in Christian calling, and the university offers missions trips each year, including trips abroad.

Concerns

  • The shared core that all students take includes no worldview or faith-and-learning course.
    Sources (1)
    1. Core Curriculum Requirements | Roberts Wesleyan 2026-27 Undergraduate Catalogroberts.edu/catalog?id=9624 · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “All students are required to meet these specific requirements.”
      The shared core lists the requirements every student must meet; no worldview or faith course is in that list.
  • The weekly Monday chapel is delivered as videos.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Formation Events | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life/spiritual-formation-events · verified Oct. 20, 2026
      “Each Monday, we start the week off by creating space and time for our Roberts community to worship and learn together.”
      A Monday chapel series for worship and teaching is offered each week, delivered as Kickstart videos.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry home

Office of Spiritual Life, Roberts Wesleyan University

  • Address: 2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, NY 14624
  • Location: On campus

Source: roberts.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, roberts.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026

Campus ministry

Sources (1)
  1. Spiritual Life | Roberts Wesleyan Universityroberts.edu/student-life/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 20, 2026
    “The Office of Spiritual Life provides”
    The Office of Spiritual Life provides campus spiritual formation, personal counsel and connections to area churches, ministry and small groups.

Christian clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 3 location not published

Service 1

  • Missions tripsOff campus
    Missions trips offered each year, including trips to Dublin, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala.
    roberts.edu

Clubs and groups 1

  • Community GroupsOn campus
    Small campus groups centered on biblical content; meeting frequency is set by the group facilitator.
    roberts.edu

Faith formation 2

  • Monday Roberts Kickstart Chapels
    Mondays (videos posted by 11:00 a.m.)
    Weekly biblically based messages to worship and learn together, delivered as videos in the iAttended app.
    roberts.edu
  • Prayer Partners
    A community that prays for students, faculty, staff and leadership.
    roberts.edu

Worship and prayer 1

  • Sunday Evening Monthly Student-Led Chapels
    Sunday evenings, monthly
    Student-led chapel services.
    roberts.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

What families pay, by income

Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.

Family incomePrice after aid
Up to $30,000$22,922
$30,001–$48,000$14,396
$48,001–$75,000$19,241
$75,001–$110,000$23,788
Over $110,000$27,297

Full cost of attendance before aid: $52,919 a year.

Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
1,092
Men and women
College Scorecard, fall 2023
Men 34% · Women 66%
First-generation students
College Scorecard
27%
Total students1,619
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$23,130
Cost of attendance (per year)$52,919
Median federal debt at graduation$23,750
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
67%
Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients
College Scorecard, within 6 years
56%
Graduation rate for first-generation students
College Scorecard, within 6 years
56%
Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years
College Scorecard, within 3 years
64%
First-year retention84%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$55,031
Admission rate71%
Application fee
IPEDS, 2023–24
No application fee
Early action deadline
College website, 2026-27
November 15
Priority filing deadline
College website, 2026-27
January 15
Typical rent
HUD fair market rent, FY2026
About $1,256 a month for a one-bedroom
Students receiving Pell grants35%
Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 990–1305
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1170
SAT reading & writing505–670
SAT math485–635
ACT composite—
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 65 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Earnings by major

Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).

MajorMedian earnings
Nursing$90,146
Human resources$75,523
Health administration$62,455
Business administration$49,788
Other education$48,623
Special education$47,243
Social work$44,863
Psychology$43,566
Liberal arts$40,527

Also offered (no earnings published yet): Accounting, Bible/Biblical Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical laboratory science, Communication studies, Computer science, Criminal justice, English, Fine arts, History, Homeland Security, Information science, International business, Kinesiology and exercise science, Marketing, Mathematics, Music, Other business, management, marketing, and related support services, Other homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services, Other philosophy and religious studies, Physics, Religious studies, Romance languages, Secondary education, Security science, Social sciences, Teacher education, Teaching English as a second language, Theology, Visual and performing arts.

What students study most

Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).

FieldShare of degrees
Health professions25%
Education22%
Business14%
Biology7%
Public administration and social service7%

Campus facts

School colors
SettingSuburb
Part-time undergraduates14%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older27%
On-campus room and board (per year)$12,976
SportsNCAA Division II · East Coast Conference
ROTCArmy · Air Force
Study abroadOffered
Students per faculty member7 to 1
Faculty who are full-time92%College Scorecard, fall 2023
Endowment per student$24,089IPEDS, 2023, per student
Dorm spaceFor about 57% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus
Nearest airport with airline serviceFrederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)About 6 miles away · about 20 minutes by car
Nearest major airportBuffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)About 49 miles away
Town population208,772Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or moreBuffaloAbout 56 miles away · about 1 hour 20 minutes by car
Typical weather26°F in January · 72°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Rochester Gtr International Airport, NY, about 6 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

CategoryThis campusU.S. rate
Rape0.000.07
Robbery0.000.01
Aggravated assault0.000.04
Burglary0.000.08
Motor vehicle theft0.000.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Questions families ask

Is Roberts Wesleyan University a Christian college?
Yes. Roberts Wesleyan University is a Christian college.
What is Roberts Wesleyan University’s Compass Score?
Compass grade B-: Good. It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.

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About this school’s data
  • IPEDS unit ID 194958
  • Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Free Methodist
  • Report an error or a newer source
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