University of Rochester vs Binghamton University

University of Rochester vs Binghamton University

University of Rochester is a highly ranked private university located in Rochester, New York in the Rochester metropolitan area. The university is a mid-size one with 12,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are very competitive as the University of Rochester acceptance rate is around 35.9%. The available majors are Biology, Nursing, Economics, Engineering, and Political Science. The graduation rate of 85% is six years, and Rochester graduates earn a median starting salary of about INR 57,83,000 (a decade after graduating, equivalent to $69,700 median earnings).

Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton) is a top-rated public university located in Vestal, New York in the Binghamton metropolitan area. It has 18,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are competitive since the acceptance rate of Binghamton is around 37.7%. Its majors are Business, Engineering, Psychology, Nursing, and Economics. The six-year graduation rate is 82%, and its graduates earn a median starting salary of about INR 55,60,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from $67,000 median earnings).

Overview Comparison
University of RochesterBinghamton University
Collegedunia Score5.8 Out of 105 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 127 Times Higher Education 2026
# 236 QS World University 2026
# 79 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
# 713 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 43 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 117 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 601 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023
ProgramsUG Programs -68
PG Programs -49
Doctorate Programs -4
UG Programs -50
PG Programs -32
Doctorate Programs -4
Acceptance Rate35.9 %37.7 %
Exam ScoreGMAT-680
IELTS-7.5
SAT-1300
TOEFL-100
IELTS-6.5
SAT-1290
TOEFL-80
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   52543.87
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  57750
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10494 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   24660
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  23100
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 31349 Per Year
placement (average package)

In 2019 the institute had MBA employment rate of 91% after 3 months of Postgraduation. Average salary is around142,166 USD/year. Top hiring companies include Amazon.com, Bank of America, Citigroup, Deloitte, Facebook, Fedex, Google, Gartner, Mckinsey & Company, PWC, Tesla, Morgan Stanley.
Executive MBA: $317,000
MBA: $188,000
Doctorate: $130,000
MS in Finance: $96,000
Baclelor of Arts: $90,000
Masters in Science: $81,000


84% of the graduates seeking employment get employed within six months of graduation. The average salary is around $64,385. Top employers include: Amazon, BNY Mellon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, KPMG, JP MorganChase &Co., Deloitte etc


application requirements

SAT Reasoning Exam Score and Subject Test Score (2 or more scores)
ACT Scores
English Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS, TOEFL or PTE
3 LORs for Postgradute Courses
Academic Certificates-Official High School Transcripts
Course by Course evaluation Transcripts
International Financial Support Form (IFSF)

Submit official transcripts

Submit official test scores

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

CollegeDunia Reviews8.2/10 Read 5 reviews7.9/10 Read 16 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 32 for Business by US News 2025
# 151 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 351 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 87 for Business by US News 2025
# 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 125/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 65/90TOEFL - 96/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesJan 5, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Feb 15, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Mar 31, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
May 1, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Oct 15, 2026 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2027 Intake)
Dec 1, 2025 (Rolling Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake)
Mar 1, 2026 (Rolling Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of RochesterBinghamton University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1850
1946
Student:Faculty Ratio4:1
19:1
Male:Female50% Male, 50% Female51% Male, 49% Female
Location Facts

Rochester metro area is easily navigable and campuses are a short drive from Greater Rochester International Airport. Considerablly closer to Toronto rather than New York City the university is located south of downtown Rochester at the bend of Genesee river.


The main campus in Vestal is spread over 930 acres on a wooded hillside above the Susquehanna River; geographically, the Southern Tier of New York is located on Allegheny Plateau, a physiographic province of the Appalachian Mountains. Binghamton's nearly 15-acre new Health Sciences Campus is located in Johnson City, NY. The University Downtown Center (UDC), located near the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers, opened in 2007 and houses the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA). 


Library

River Campus has 6 libraries with a collection of university archives, Eastman School of Music has nearly 750,000 holdings in scores, books and journals. Medical Center has 4 libraries featuring rare books and manuscripts from the medicine field and the Memorial Art Gallery has resources for K-12 teachers.


The Glenn G. Bartle Library contains collections in the humanities, social sciences, government documents and collections in mathematical and computer sciences. Additionally, Bartle Library houses the Fine Arts Collection and Special Collections.The Science Library contains materials in all science and engineering disciplines, as well as a map collection. The University Downtown Center (UDC) Library and Information Commons supports the departments of social work, human development, public administration, and student affairs administration.


Campus Life

Rochester’s tight knit campuses have 275 organizations and clubs, health care and counselling centers, URMC fitness center. Formal academic events in Rochester include Plutzik Reading Series, Studio Arts programs, Inspire Dance festival and International Theatre program. 23 varsity teams compete for the Liberty League and University Athletic association.


 The Student Union houses many student organizations, a food co-op, The Marketplace food court, a number of meeting spaces, many new classrooms, the University Bookstore and a branch of Visions Federal Credit Union. The Events Center is one of the area's largest venue for athletics, concerts, fairs and more. Home court to the Binghamton Bearcats basketball teams, the facility seats about 5,300 people for games. For concerts, Commencement and other larger events, the Events Center can hold up to 8,000 people. In addition to the Events Center, the north end of campus houses the East and West Gyms, which host student recreation and varsity athletics programs. Residence halls at Binghamton are grouped into seven communities. The apartment communities used to house graduate students, but now house undergraduates. Bus transportation on campus and in local neighborhoods with a high density of students is provided by the student-owned and operated Off Campus College Transport (OCCT). OCCT is entirely student run and is free for all students. Student organizations at Binghamton are organized and run through the Student Association at Binghamton University. The Student Association provides a number of services and entertainment for students, including bus transportation and the annual Spring Fling festival. Binghamton University's Intercollegiate Athletics program is an NCAA Division I program. The Intercollegiate Athletics program comprises 21 sports that compete in the America East Conference for all sports except wrestling and golf. 


Hostel#On campus - $10494
#On campus - $14577
#Off campus (not with family) - $14577
#Off campus (with family) - $2195
Famous Alumni

Edward Gibson (Physicist), Katherine Hayles (Academic), Robert Forster (Film Producer), Rene Richards (Tennis Player), Galway Kinnell (Poet), Peter van Inwagen (Philosopher), Bill Kauffman (Journalist), Steven Chu (Physicist), Richard Thaler (Economist), Aurthur R Mileer (Law Professor), Joseph Martin (Doctor), Paul Singer (Businessman), Susan Hockfiels (Neuroscientist).


Robyn Adele Anderson, founding member and primary vocalist for Postmodern Jukebox
Morteza Aghatehrani, Iranian politician, cleric, scholar, mujtahid
Peter Altabef, CEO of Unisys
Billy Baldwin, actor
David P. Barash, evolutionary biologist, Professor of Psychology at University of Washington and author of over 30 books
Andrew Bergman, screenwriter, author and director


City Life

Rochester is New York’s third largest metropolitan area with a unique blend of history and innovation. Unemployment rate is 11.3% as of June 2020. Though the university itself is the 2nd largest employer in New York area and largest employer in Greater Rochester area. The city has a low cost of living than the US national average. Festivals celebrating artisans like AppleUmpkin, Seabreeze amusement park, lake Ontario, Buffalo Bill’s training camp, and over 3,500 nationally recognized parks make Rochester, NY a lucrative destination. 


While Binghamton may not be the biggest city, it has a great college atmosphere, and more than just students can attest to that. Binghamton was rated among the top 20 college towns in the U.S. by The American Institute for Economic Research and Business Insider, and was named one of the top 30 small college towns with a great quality of life by Best Choice Schools.Binghamton has a vaiety of unique restaurants and bars, making it a foodie’s dream. Twice a year the restaurants even team up during Restaurant Week to offer fixed price, three-course meals, with proceeds going to charity.  Downtown Binghamton is home to several restaurants, shops and academic buildings, making it the perfect place for students to study and relax. The area is also full of venues for students who are 21 and over, including pubs, breweries, dance clubs and hookah lounges. State Street is perfect for those who love the nightlife experience, and it's easily accessible by bus. New businesses are constantly sprouting up and flourishing in Binghamton. START-UP NY and the University’s Small Business Development Center help people start their own companies. The Small Business Development Center has helped clients raise $210 million in private and public funding and has helped create 11,000 jobs.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Rochester vs Binghamton University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

University of Rochester is a private university that is ranked #236 in QS and 127th in Times Higher Education, with special recognition in sciences, engineering, music, and medicine. Binghamton University, which is within the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is ranked #1001-1200 in QS and 601-800th in Times Higher Education, with excellence in business, engineering, and public affairs. At subject level, University of Rochester is ranked highly in optics, biomedical sciences, and music (Eastman School of Music), while Binghamton is increasingly known for engineering, management, and liberal arts.

General Information

The University of Rochester, which was established in 1850, is situated in Rochester, New York, and has around 12,000 students. It is distinguished by a flexible curriculum, research excellence, and very competitive programs in sciences, engineering, and music. Binghamton University, which was established in 1946, is found in Binghamton, New York, and has around 18,000 students. It is regarded as one of the leading public universities in the SUNY system with the combination of affordability, research, and excellent undergraduate teaching.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

The University of Rochester is selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 35.9 percent, and places a high premium on a holistic admissions review process of academic accomplishment, essays, and extracurricular activities. Binghamton University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 37.7 percent, and lures strong in-state applicants as well as more competitive out-of-state and international students. Rochester tends to be more selective and enrolls higher percentages of students interested in research-intensive majors.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Rochester is an R1: Doctoral University with very high research activity, featuring world-class facilities like the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Rochester Medical Center. Binghamton University is also R1, with research strengths in materials science, engineering, public affairs, and sustainability research, as well as facilities like the Smart Energy Building and Innovation Technologies Complex.

Cost & Financial Aid

The University of Rochester, being a private institution, is more expensive—approximately $63,000 annually for undergraduates—although it also offers generous merit-based and need-based financial aid, as well as to international students. Binghamton University is considerably less expensive, with in-state tuition at approximately $10,000 annually and out-of-state tuition at approximately $28,000–$30,000 annually. It does offer financial aid and merit scholarships, but it is still one of the best values of high-quality research universities within the United States.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement

The graduates of the University of Rochester are particularly accomplished in business, engineering, sciences, healthcare, and the arts and enjoy strong pipelines to graduate and medical schools. Its graduates are particularly achievement-oriented in academia, research, and healthcare. Binghamton University graduates excel in healthcare, government, technology, and business, with many contributing to the New York workforce. Although Rochester's alumni base is more international and research-oriented, Binghamton's alumni network is very influential throughout New York State and in government service.