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College Comparison

University of Pennsylvania vs University of Rochester: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

School

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUPennU of Rochester
Acceptance Rate5.9%wins35.9%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570wins1400–1540
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins31–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$66,104$64,348wins
Avg Net Price$31,229$30,248wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$111,371wins$79,042
Graduation Rate96.8%wins84.5%
Retention Rate98.1%wins92.5%
Student–Faculty Ratio8:1wins9:1
Total Enrollment10,768wins6,488

Verdict

Based on the data above, UPenn edges out U of Rochester on 8 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UPenn Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $111,371

U of Rochester Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $64,348
  • Avg Net Price: $30,248

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