Boston college vs Rochester — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Boston college is the more selective of the two (16.4% vs 40.1% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #151-200). Boston college graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $79K). Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,080 vs $70,702 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston college for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rochester for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston college is more selective (16.4% vs 40.1% acceptance); Boston college has a higher median SAT (1507 vs 1488).
Boston college graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $79K); Boston college has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.8% vs 85.4%).
Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,080 vs $70,702); Boston college offers a larger average aid package ($61,753 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston college | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | — | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.4% | 40.1% |
| Yield rate | 42.5% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1507 | 1488 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 34,779 | 21,384 |
| International students | 12% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $79K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $162K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,702 | $67,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $61,753 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 100% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,892 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | — | $50 |
| Enrollment | 14,726 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston college or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Boston college. Boston college accepts 16.4% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.1%.
Do Boston college or Rochester graduates earn more?
Boston college graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Boston college vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,702 per year at Boston college and $67,080 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Boston college or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1507 at Boston college and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Boston college or Rochester?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Boston college vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid — Boston college or Rochester?
The average aid package is $61,753 at Boston college and $60,879 at Rochester.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern