The University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York, is a private research university with a student body of approximately 12,000 students. It has a reputation for its open curriculum, excellent programs in Music, Engineering, Business, and the Sciences, and its world-renowned Eastman School of Music. Admissions are very competitive, with an acceptance rate of roughly 35.9%. Graduation is at a healthy rate of about 85%, and Rochester graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $60,000–65,000 (INR 50–54 lakhs) per year.
Stony Brook University (SBU) is in Stony Brook, New York, and a public research university with State University of New York (SUNY) system status, and it has approximately 26,000 students. It has a reputation for excellence in STEM disciplines, Health Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Science. Admissions are fairly selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 49%. The graduation rate is approximately 74%, and the average starting salary for Stony Brook alumni is USD $55,000–60,000 (INR 46–50 lakhs) per year.
| University of Rochester | Stony Brook University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.8 Out of 10 | 5.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 127 Times Higher Education 2026 # 236 QS World University 2026 # 79 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 452 QS World University 2026 # 215 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 43 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -68 PG Programs -49 Doctorate Programs -4 | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -38 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35.9 % | 49.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-680 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1300 TOEFL-100 | IELTS-6 SAT-1210 TOEFL-80 |
| 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 24740 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28890 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32781 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. | Around 94% of the bachelors program students secure employment or continue education after graduation. Some of the majors and the median salary after one year of graduation are as follows: Nursing: $92,481 Allied health: $79,891 Computer Engineering: $64,315 Civil Engineering: 63,949 Computer Science: $60,875 |
| application requirements | SAT Reasoning Exam Score and Subject Test Score (2 or more scores) | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit personal essay Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.2/10 Read 5 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 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 | # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 125/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| 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) | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Rochester | Stony Brook University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1850 | 1957 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 4:1 | 10:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 46% Male, 54% 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 is in the historic north shore hamlet of Stony Brook near the geographic midpoint of Long Island, approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of Manhattan and 62 miles (100 km) west of Montauk. The university also has campuses in Manhattan and Southampton. |
| 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. | Stony Brook University library subscribes to hundreds of publications, journals, and online databases such as Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, Web of Science, Ebscohost, IEEE Xplore, Project MUSE, ScienceDirect, and more. The library has rare book collection of more than 30,000 special, scarce, and unique titles dating from 1493 to the present. |
| 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. | Stony Brook has a wide variety of student-run organizations on campus, which include sororities and fraternities, and a count of almost 300 recognized student clubs and organizations. The Undergraduate Student Government at Stony Brook University is trusted with the responsibility of budgeting the undergraduate student activity fee which funds most student run organizations on campus. The Graduate Student Organization is responsible for budgeting the graduate student activity fee, and supplies a variety of funding opportunities, programming, student services, and funding for departmental and student organizations. Incoming freshmen are welcomed to the university in August with First Night Out, a night of events taking place on the Friday in which they move in. Organized by Student Engagement and Activities, the night consists of a "Party on the Plaza" as well as various assorted activities.Wolfieland, an annual carnival, began in 2016 and takes place during September. Stony Brook University's intercollegiate athletics teams, known as the Stony Brook Seawolves, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level and are members of the Colonial Athletic Association. In 2013, Stony Brook University launched its own bike share system to provide a sustainable transportation alternative for students. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $10494 | #On campus - $13446 #Off campus (not with family) - $13999 #Off campus (with family) - $5336 |
| 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). | Chris Algieri, professional boxer and former WBO junior welterweight title holder |
| 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. | Stony Brook, NY is an attractive city northeast of New York City full of incredible sites such as Stony Brook University displaying its distinct landscape or Avalon Park great for recreational activities; visitors can also join in the magnificent Summer Arts Festival celebrating culture through arts and music every August. |
| Weather |
University of Rochester vs Stony Brook University
Topic Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
University of Rochester is positioned higher overall than Stony Brook University (SBU). Rochester is situated at 236 in QS 2026 and 127 in THE 2026, with particular strengths in Optics, Music, Medicine, Engineering, and Business. SUNY Stony Brook University ranks at about 452 in QS 2026 and 251 - 300 in THE 2026, being particularly strong in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Sciences. Rochester has wider international recognition, whereas SBU is highly respected in STEM disciplines and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
General Information
The University of Rochester, established in 1850 in Rochester, New York, is a private research university with ~12,000 students, who are famous for its open curriculum and excellent professional schools. Stony Brook, established in 1957 in Stony Brook, New York, is a large public research university with ~26,000 students, belonging to the SUNY system and known for its STEM and research orientation.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Rochester is highly selective 35.9%, with significant competition for Engineering, Business, Music (Eastman School), and Health Sciences programs. Stony Brook is moderately selective 49%, with more significant competition in Engineering, Computer Science, and Health programs than its overall admit rate.
Research Impact & Facilities
They are both Carnegie R1 research universities. Rochester excels in optics, biomedical science, and music, with amenities such as the LLE Laser Lab and ties with the University of Rochester Medical Center. Stony Brook is known worldwide for physics, climate science, engineering, and computer science, and jointly operates Brookhaven National Laboratory to bolster its STEM research footprint.
Cost & Financial Aid
Rochester, being a private school, is approximately $65,000 per year, but has very generous merit- and need-based aid available, including to international students. SBU, being a public university, runs ~$10,500 in-state and ~$28,000 out-of-state per year, significantly more affordable, with merit scholarships and financial aid options.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Rochester alumni are leaders in medicine, business, engineering, and the arts, bolstered by robust alumni networks and the Eastman School's international reputation. Stony Brook graduates are exceptionally successful in STEM, health, and research, with placements in top technology companies, academia, and New York State sectors.
