Rochester vs Washington University - 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: Washington University admits 12.1%, Rochester admits 40.1%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 9.4% (Washington University).
Real money goes to international students at Washington University ($68,438 on average), while Rochester stops at $41,269.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $93,614 and ends at $18,685 against $32,735 (Rochester).
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
Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 40.08% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #23). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $79K). Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 40.08% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $79K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 85.4%).
Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 vs $70,284); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 32,754 |
| International students | 22.1% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 95% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Washington University. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Rochester or Washington University graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Washington University?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Washington University?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $75,604 at Washington University.
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