Rochester vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northeastern admits 5.2% of applicants, while Rochester admits 40.1%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Rochester: 22.1% of students against 13.1% (Northeastern).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rochester awards international students $41,269 on average, Northeastern awards $24,539.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Rochester starts at $93,614 against $92,337 and ends at $32,735 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 40.08% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $79K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 40.08% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1490 vs 1470).
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 ($69,289 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 98,425 |
| International students | 22.1% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Rochester or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Northeastern?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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