U of R vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

U of R vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or Purchase College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than U of R ($18,211 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 17% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,436 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 649.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $58,127 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 249.3% higher at U of R than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $47,877 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester as at SUNY at Purchase College (72% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 336.2% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($45,500 vs. $10,432).

U of R vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or Purchase College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purchase College and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 200 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming U of R students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Purchase College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

U of R vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and Purchase College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $30,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($232 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.