Rochester vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Yale admits 4.7% of applicants, while Rochester admits 40.1%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Rochester: 22.1% of students against 10.6% (Yale).
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Rochester stops at $41,269.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Yale starts at $98,900 against $93,614 and ends at $24,547 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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 40.08% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $79K). Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,284 vs $72,500 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: lower tuition.
Choose Yale 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
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 40.08% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $79K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 85.4%).
Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,284 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 50,264 |
| International students | 22.1% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $50 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Rochester or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Yale?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $74,353 at Yale.
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