Rochester vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 4% (Binghamton).
Real money goes to international students at Rochester ($41,269 on average), while Binghamton stops at $8,377.
The tuition gap is $39,837 a year: $30,447 (Binghamton) against $70,284.
50 points separate the SAT profiles: 1470 (Rochester) against 1420.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Binghamton is the more selective of the two (38.61% vs 40.08% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #501-600). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($79K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 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 Rochester for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Binghamton for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Binghamton is more selective (38.61% vs 40.08% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1420).
Binghamton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $79K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 53,007 |
| International students | 22.1% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $50 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Binghamton. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Rochester or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $79K at Rochester and $81K at Binghamton.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Binghamton?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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