Rochester vs Toledo - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rochester admits 40.1% of applicants, while Toledo admits 92%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 8% (Toledo).
Real money goes to international students at Rochester ($41,269 on average), while Toledo stops at $4,861.
On paper the cheaper option is Toledo: $20,164 against $70,284, which is $50,120 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 92% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #601-700). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $51K). Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 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 Toledo 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 92% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1235).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $51K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 57%).
Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $14,444).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 92% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 18.8% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1235 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 11,067 |
| International students | 22.1% | 8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $51K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $31K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $77K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 57% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 77.3% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $20,164 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $14,444 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 61% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $23,487 |
| Application fee | $50 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 14,358 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Toledo?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Toledo accepts 92%.
Do Rochester or Toledo graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $51K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Toledo?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $20,164 per year at Toledo.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Toledo?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1235 at Toledo; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Toledo?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #601-700 for Toledo.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Toledo?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $14,444 at Toledo.
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