The University of Rochester (U of R, UR) is a private, nonsectarian, research university located in Rochester, New York. The University grants undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees through six schools and various interdisciplinary programs. The University is home to several noted schools and programs, including the prestigious Eastman School of Music, the oldest optics program in the United States, and top 20 programs in political science and economics. The Institute of Optics was founded in 1929 as the nation's first educational program devoted exclusively to optics. It is widely considered one of the nation's premier optics schools and is a leader in basic optical research and theory.

The University of Rochester undergraduate program is considered one of the most competitive programs in America and is consistently ranked as one of the top Research institutions in the world. The university is also listed as one of thirty "Hidden Ivies" and as one of Newsweek's "New Ivies." In addition to being affiliated with leaders in economics, political science, biology, psychology, physics and medicine, Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics is home to the most powerful fusion laser in the world. The university is also home to 8 Nobel Laureates, 23 Pulitzer Prize winners, 19 Guggenheim fellowship scholars, 7 Fulbright scholars, 2 Goldwater scholars, 1 Gates Scholarship recipient and 2 Marshall scholars. Faculty and alumni of Rochester make up nearly one-quarter of the scientists on the board advising NASA in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will replace the Hubble Space Telescope as of 2011.

The University of Rochester enrolls approximately 4,600 undergraduates and 3,900 graduate students. Additionally, Rochester (along with its affiliated Strong Health System) is the largest employer in the Greater Rochester area and the sixth largest employer in New York State.