Emory vs Rochester — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.7% vs 40.1% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #151-200). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($80K vs $79K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,280 vs $67,080 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 Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.7% vs 40.1% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1488).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $79K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 85.4%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,280 vs $67,080); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | — | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 10.7% | 40.1% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1488 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 21,384 |
| International students | 19% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $79K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,280 | $67,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.7% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.1%.
Do Emory or Rochester graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $80K at Emory and $79K at Rochester.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,280 per year at Emory and $67,080 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Emory and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Emory or Rochester?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid — Emory or Rochester?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $60,879 at Rochester.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern