Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University admits 49.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Stony Brook in the Selective admission tier, representing moderate competition for entry.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% demonstrates that Stony Brook maintains significantly higher selectivity standards than typical four-year public institutions, with 29 percentage points lower acceptance rates than peers. This selectivity level creates meaningful competition among applicants, though it remains more accessible than highly selective institutions with single-digit acceptance rates.

Students should approach Stony Brook as a competitive option that requires strong academic credentials but offers reasonable admission odds for well-prepared applicants. The moderate selectivity means that students with solid academic profiles have realistic chances of acceptance, while those at the margins of competitiveness should ensure they have backup options.

For students building balanced college lists, Stony Brook represents a strong middle-ground choice between reach schools and safety schools, offering excellent outcomes with achievable admission standards.

Stony Brook University publishes a cost of attendance of $29,174 per year, encompassing $30,350 in out-of-state tuition (or $10,560 for New York residents), $17,662 for room and board, and $900 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $18,430 representing $10,744 in financial aid savings.

This net price sits $2,840 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating strong affordability relative to comparable institutions. The gap between sticker price and actual cost demonstrates Stony Brook's substantial financial aid commitment, with most students receiving meaningful assistance.

Net prices vary considerably by family income, ranging from $12,744 for the lowest-income families to $26,994 for the highest-income families, creating a progressive pricing structure that supports access across economic backgrounds. As a public institution, Stony Brook provides particularly strong value for New York residents through reduced in-state tuition rates.

The combination of moderate published costs and substantial aid translates into accessible education for families across income levels.

Stony Brook graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across their early-to-mid career trajectory. Median earnings progress from $59,492 six years after enrollment to $69,248 at eight years and $74,502 at ten years, representing 25.2% growth from the six-year benchmark.

These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 2,375 graduates, providing high statistical confidence in the reported figures. The university generates $8,461 in earnings beyond expectations compared to students with similar demographics at other institutions, ranking at the 82.9th percentile nationally for this uplift measure.

Low-income graduates achieve median earnings of $61,300, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 25th percentile earning $48,580 and the 75th percentile reaching $107,097, reflecting differences in program choice and career path.

Approximately 25.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways. The earnings growth trajectory shows steady acceleration, with graduates building earning power as they advance in their careers.

Stony Brook offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences ranks #5 nationally and #1 in New York state, graduating 459 students with median earnings of $63,797 and an exceptional value score of 94.9.

Applied Mathematics ranks #5 nationally and #1 in state, producing 415 graduates earning $75,438 with a strong value score of 87.5. Psychology ranks #24 nationally and #4 in state, representing the university's largest program with 497 graduates earning $50,246.

American Government and Politics achieves #14 nationally and #3 in state, graduating 139 students with earnings of $63,266 and the highest value score of 95.6. Mechanical Engineering ranks #30 nationally and #3 in state, producing 135 graduates with median earnings of $87,654.

Adult Health Nurse/Nursing generates the highest earnings at $95,054 with 224 graduates, ranking #39 nationally. These flagship programs demonstrate consistent top-tier performance across diverse academic disciplines.