Rochester vs Wilkes University
When it comes to higher education, University of Rochester and Wilkes University stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. With an acceptance rate of 32%, University of Rochester is a highly selective research university known for its rigorous academics and strong research opportunities. Wilkes University, on the other hand, offers a more accessible path to higher education with an acceptance rate of 80%. Both universities boast a diverse student body, with international students making up 17% of University of Rochester's population and 3% of Wilkes University's. While University of Rochester excels in STEM fields, with popular majors like Biology, Computer Science, and Economics, Wilkes University offers a wider range of programs, including popular majors like Business, Education, and Nursing. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions, including graduation rates, cost of attendance, and available financial aid.
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![]() University of Rochester |
![]() Wilkes University |
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Overview |
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Location | Rochester, New York | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 40.5% | 94.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1370 - 1520 | 1040 - 1250 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 20 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 22.0% | 30.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 19,543 | 4,019 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,924 | 3,809 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,623 | 556 |
Yield rate | 20.5% | 14.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,456 | $55,207 |
Average net price | $40,125 | $30,155 |
Tuition | $58,276 | $37,994 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,692
Meal plan:
$6,696
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Room/dormitory:
$9,492
Meal plan:
$6,206
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
75.0%
Average amount $37,870 |
96.0%
Average amount $26,371 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $4,351 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,594 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $22,054 |
32.0%
Average amount $16,328 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,568
Men 48.0% Women 52.0% |
2,232
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
Graduate students |
5,471
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
3,044
Men 22.5% Women 77.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 26.5% |
International students | 30.7% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,350 | 1,184 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Connecticut |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.9% | 61.4% |
Dropout rate | 4.2% | 11.2% |
Transferred out | 8.8% | 26.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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