Rochester vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas at Austin admits 26.6% of applicants, while Rochester admits 40.1%.
The more international environment is at Rochester (22.1% international students) than Texas at Austin (4.5%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rochester awards international students $41,269 on average, Texas at Austin awards $21,838.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rochester lists $93,614 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $32,735 against $40,241.
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
Texas at Austin is the more selective of the two (26.64% vs 40.08% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #45). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 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: higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Texas at Austin is more selective (26.64% vs 40.08% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1395).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $75K); Texas at Austin has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.9% vs 85.4%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 72,885 |
| International students | 22.1% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Texas at Austin. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Rochester or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Texas at Austin?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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