University of Rochester
ROCHESTER, NY
University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, RI
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Rochester vs Rhode island — US university comparison

University of Rochester
ROCHESTER
Rochester, NY
World rank · ARWU#151-200
Acceptance40.1%
Median SAT1488
Graduation rate85.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$79K
University of Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND
Kingston, RI
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance72.2%
Median SAT1160
Graduation rate73.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

University of Rochester University of Rhode Island
#151-200 World rank · ARWU #801-900
#127 Rank · THE —
40.1% Acceptance rate 72.2%
1488 Median SAT 1160
85.4% Graduation rate 73.3%
11,946 Enrollment 17,649

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

40.1% Acceptance rate 72.2%
15.4% Yield rate 15.4%
1488 Median SAT 1160
3.70 Avg. GPA 3.60
21,384 Number of applications 26,987
37% Int'l students 3%
$79K Median earnings · 10 yrs $70K
$74K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $58K
$117K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $102K
85.4% Graduation rate 73.3%
90.7% Retention rate 83.6%
$21,000 Median debt $22,250
$67,080 Tuition · year $37,146
$60,879 Avg. aid package $17,388
96.1% % of need met 60%
$32,304 Avg. graduate debt $40,247
$50 Application fee $65
— Avg. int'l aid —
At a glance
Rochester leads in 10 of 12 measured metrics
Aid$60,879 vs $17,388
Tuition$67,080 vs $37,146
Acceptance40.1% vs 72.2%

EXPERT TAKE

Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.1% 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 ($37,146 vs $67,080 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

Admissions

Rochester is more selective (40.1% vs 72.2% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1488 vs 1160).

Graduate outcomes

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%).

Cost and aid

Rhode island has lower sticker-price tuition ($37,146 vs $67,080); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $17,388).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$34k$57k$80kRochesterRhode island TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Rochester and Rhode island highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Rochester Rhode island
World rank · ARWU#151-200#801-900
Rank · THE#127—
Acceptance rate40.1%72.2%
Yield rate15.4%15.4%
Median SAT14881160
Avg. GPA3.703.60
Number of applications21,38426,987
International students37%3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$79K$70K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$74K$58K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$117K$102K
Graduation rate85.4%73.3%
Retention rate90.7%83.6%
Median debt$21,000$22,250
Tuition · year$67,080$37,146
Avg. aid package$60,879$17,388
% of need met96.1%60%
Avg. graduate debt$32,304$40,247
Application fee$50$65
Enrollment11,94617,649

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Rochester or Rhode island?

It's harder to get into Rochester. Rochester accepts 40.1% 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 $67,080 per year at Rochester and $37,146 per year at Rhode island.

What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Rhode island?

The median admitted SAT score is 1488 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 $17,388 at Rhode island.

Compare Rochester with
Harvard Stanford Massachusetts institute of technology Princeton Yale Cornell Penn Johns hopkins Washington university Northwestern
Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.