Rochester vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Emory admits 10.3% of applicants, while Rochester admits 40.1%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 16.7% (Emory).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Emory awards international students $54,457 on average, Rochester awards $41,269.
40 points separate the SAT profiles: 1510 (Emory) against 1470.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 40.08% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #101-150). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($79K vs $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 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 (10.29% vs 40.08% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
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 ($68,056 vs $70,284); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 34,614 |
| International students | 22.1% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 96% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Emory?
It's harder to get into Emory. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Rochester or Emory graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $79K at Rochester and $80K at Emory.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Emory?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Emory?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $67,329 at Emory.
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