Rochester University vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester University in Rochester Hills, MI with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than Rochester University based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 1,193 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rochester University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester University 13:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Rochester University vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rochester University or CUW? 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 Rochester University than CUW ($21,611 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester University are 20.6% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($10,486 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rochester University (about $6,274 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $29,196.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at CUW than at Rochester University (about $6,274 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $29,196.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester University than at Concordia University Wisconsin (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Rochester University students ($21,379 vs. $19,674).

Rochester University vs. CUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rochester University or CUW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CUW and Rochester University.

• Incoming CUW students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Rochester University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rochester University 840/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rochester University 17/23; Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rochester University - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman CUW students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Rochester University (3.13).
• Rochester University has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Rochester University vs. 14.1% at CUW.

Rochester University vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rochester University and CUW? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Rochester University's (42%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Rochester University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $478 lower median loan debt than Rochester University graduates ($23,925 vs. $24,403).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rochester University graduates ($247 vs. $252).
• More CUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rochester University students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 45%)

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.