Rochester vs Rhode Island - 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 (#151-200 vs #801-900). 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 Rochester for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
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 | Rochester | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 72.2% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 16.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1160 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 3.65 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 28,021 |
| International students | 22.1% | 1.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 73.3% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 85% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $38,398 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $17,595 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 57% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $42,945 |
| Application fee | $50 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 14,466 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Rhode Island?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Rhode Island accepts 72.2%.
Do Rochester or Rhode Island graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Rhode Island?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $38,398 per year at Rhode Island.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Rhode Island?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1160 at Rhode Island; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Rhode Island?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #801-900 for Rhode Island.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Rhode Island?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $17,595 at Rhode Island.
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