University of Rochester is a highly selective private university located in Rochester, New York in the Rochester metropolitan area. It is a mid-sized university with 12,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are very competitive as the University of Rochester acceptance rate is around 35.9%. Some of the majors offered are Biology, Nursing, Economics, Engineering, and Political Science. The six-year graduation rate is 85%, and Rochester graduates earn a median starting salary of around INR 57,83,000 (ten years from graduation, in median earnings converted from $69,700).
Northeastern University is a highly ranked private university located in Boston, Massachusetts in the Boston metropolitan area. It is a large university with 28,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are extremely competitive because Northeastern's acceptance rate is roughly 6%. Offered majors are Business, Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Professions. Six-year graduation rate is 91%, and Northeastern alums have a median starting salary of about INR 65,83,000 (ten years after graduation, converted from $79,400 median earnings).
| University of Rochester | Northeastern University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 127 Times Higher Education 2026 # 236 QS World University 2026 # 79 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 384 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 34 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 389 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 # 68 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -68 PG Programs -49 Doctorate Programs -4 | UG Programs -90 PG Programs -92 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.9 % | 5.6 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1300 TOEFL-100 | Duolingo-105 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 52543.87 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 57750 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 10494 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 19700 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 48000 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21000 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. | Graduate employability rankings: #201-250
Some of the top recruiters are Amazon, iRobot, Morgan Stanley, EY, Bose, Blackstone group, Wellington Management etc |
| application requirements | SAT Reasoning Exam Score and Subject Test Score (2 or more scores) | LOR- 2 or 3 letters of recommendation, SOP- yes, GPA- 3.5 (89% or more). |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.2/10 Read 5 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 51 reviews |
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 | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 68 for Business by US News 2025 # 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 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) | Nov 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Rochester | Northeastern University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1850 | 1898 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 4:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 44% Male, 0% 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 campus is located near to Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall. It is situated in the heart of Boston and is filled with greenery. Northeastern University lies in the neighborhood of Huntington Avenue. |
| 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. | More than 50,000 printed books, 861,676 ebooks, 100,887 licenced e-journals, and 116,739 streaming audio and visual titles.The professional research available is accessible to public (open). |
| 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. | 32 intramural sports, 18 varsity sports, and 43 club sports. Additionally, campus offers Fall Fest, Afro Flow Yoga workshop, Field hockey, volleyball, soccer games, Night at the student center, and First pages. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $10494 | #Housing Allowance - $16200 |
| 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). | Shawn Fanning (Computer programmer), Wendy Williams (TV host), Reggie Lewis (basketball player), Jane Curtin (actress), James Franklin Jeffrey (American Diplomat), Jeff Clarke (Executive Chairman of FTD), Albert Sacco (Dean Whitacre College of Engineering), Yale Patt (professor), Mo Cowan (former US Senator). |
| 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. | With a huge student community, the population diversity is vast and lies within the same braoder age group. The city offers a great nightlif with gastropubs, live music, and cocktail bars. Boston’s cosmopolitan excitement is bus-ride away. Average salaries offered within the state are up to 97,5000 USD |
| Weather |
University of Rochester vs Northeastern University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Rochester and Northeastern University are both strong private research universities, but Northeastern has climbed in world rankings over the past few years. University of Rochester ranks #236 in QS 127th in Times Higher Education whereas Northeastern University ranks #387 in QS 201-250th in Times Higher Education. By subject area, Rochester is most well-represented by Life Sciences, Medicine, Optics, and Music (through its premiere Eastman School of Music). Northeastern excels by subject area in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences because of its model of experiential learning and co-op programs, which combine academic study with professional work experience.
General Information
University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, has approximately 12,000 students and is an extremely research-oriented university with open academic curricula, enabling students to tailor study programs. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, expanded to become a large city campus with more than 28,000 students. It is known for its co-op program, international campuses, and industry connections, providing it with an applied learning advantage. Rochester is more traditional and localized in campus configuration, while Northeastern is extremely urban and internationally dispersed.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both universities have selective admissions. Rochester's acceptance rate is approximately 35.9%, whereas Northeastern has also become highly competitive in recent years, decreasing to 6% for undergraduate students because of growing global interest. Rochester has a broad range of graduate programs, notably in health sciences, social sciences, and the arts. Northeastern is strong in professional master's in technology, business, and analytics, with significant international student recruitment.
Research Impact & Facilities
Rochester has one of the largest academic medical centers in the U.S., with excellence in health research, optics, data science, and the arts. The Eastman School of Music is rated among the world's best. Northeastern has a research powerhouse in applied sciences, cybersecurity, AI, and engineering, with quickly growing research funding and collaborations. Its global campuses in North America, Europe, and Asia also offer research and internship opportunities globally.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both schools are pricey private colleges, with tuition and fees ranging more than $60,000 per year. Rochester has strong need-based and merit-based aid, including assistance for international students. Northeastern has financial aid and scholarships available, although its packages are generally viewed as less generous than Rochester's. Northeaster's co-op program, however, allows students to pay for part of their education by working while they learn.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Rochester alumni commonly go on to work in medicine, health sciences, academia, finance, and technology, with especially strong tracks into medical school and PhD programs. Northeastern students are extremely employable thanks to its co-op program, with excellent placement in tech, consulting, business, and engineering fields. Although Rochester is more traditionally academic strong, Northeastern is commonly known as being among the top schools for career-oriented education, particularly in technology-based fields.
