U of R vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

U of R vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than U of R ($19,847 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 21.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($15,560 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 655.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $58,206 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257.1% higher at U of R than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $48,296 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at State University of New York at Cortland (72% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 451.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($45,500 vs. $8,254).

U of R vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 310 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming U of R students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SUNY Cortland - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

U of R vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

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.