Rochester vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rochester admits 40.1% of applicants, while Houston admits 73.9%.
The more international environment is at Rochester (22.1% international students) than Houston (5.7%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rochester awards international students $41,269 on average, Houston awards $4,456.
On paper the cheaper option is Houston: $27,926 against $70,284, which is $42,358 less a year.
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
Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.08% vs 73.92% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #201-300). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rochester is more selective (40.08% vs 73.92% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1240).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $62K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 31,716 |
| International students | 22.1% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 87% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Houston?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Rochester or Houston graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Houston?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Houston?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $16,450 at Houston.
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