U of R vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

U of R vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than U of R ($14,782 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 16.2% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,584 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 677.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $58,455 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 216.2% higher at U of R than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $45,865 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at University of Rochester (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 444.5% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($45,500 vs. $8,357).

U of R vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 280 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming U of R students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SUNY Poly - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

U of R vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $7,915 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($16,585 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($171 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 63%)

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.