Rhode Island vs Rochester - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Rochester admits 40.1%, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The more international environment is at Rochester (22.1% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rochester awards international students $41,269 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rochester lists $93,614 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $32,735 against $37,163.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.08% vs 72.2% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #151-200). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $70,284 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
Choose Rochester 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
Rochester is more selective (40.08% vs 72.2% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1160).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $70K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | - | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 40.08% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.72 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 21,384 |
| International students | 1.2% | 22.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $79K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $70,284 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 57% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $65 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.08%.
Do Rhode Island or Rochester graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $70,284 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1470 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Rochester?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Rochester?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $60,879 at Rochester.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern