Northeastern vs Rochester — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 40.1% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #151-200). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $79K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,162 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rochester for: a higher world ranking, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 40.1% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1497 vs 1488).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $79K); Northeastern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.5% vs 85.4%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($66,162 vs $67,080); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | — | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 40.1% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1497 | 1488 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 21,384 |
| International students | 37% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $79K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $74K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $66,162 | $67,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.1%.
Do Northeastern or Rochester graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $66,162 per year at Northeastern and $67,080 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1497 at Northeastern and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Northeastern or Rochester?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northeastern or Rochester?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $60,879 at Rochester.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern