Stetson University

Stony Brook University's published cost of attendance is $72,533, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $15,931 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $17,327, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,904.

Azimuth ranks Stetson University #865 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public research university in New York, Stony Brook benefits from the in-state tuition structure that keeps net prices for lower- and middle-income families well below the sticker price, though families should note that [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) depending on household income and aid eligibility.

Need-based aid plays a central role in how Stony Brook prices for different families. The gap between what low-income and higher-income students pay reflects the university's reliance on federal, state, and institutional grant programs — particularly New York's Excelsior Scholarship and TAP programs, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for qualifying in-state residents.

Families applying for aid should use the FAFSA to determine eligibility; the net prices shown reflect median costs within each income band, and individual packages will vary based on household circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $48,703; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.

For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,773, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).

Graduates of Stetson University earn median 4-year earnings of $57,773, placing Stetson University in the 32.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,859 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Stetson University in the 36.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Azimuth ranks Stetson University #1069 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Stetson University's concentration in business and professional fields.

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General is the largest program with 76 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $52,591, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Business Administration enrolls 65 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $59,629, also exceeding its field benchmark at 0.9x.

Psychology, General and Finance round out the largest cohorts, with Finance graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $85,033. Music graduates reach median 4-year earnings of $41,298, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for that field.

Stetson University's program mix is anchored in Business and professional fields. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General is the largest program with 76 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Finance, and Music.

Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 703 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional and national labor markets. The highest-earning programs at Stetson University reflect strength in applied professional fields.

Finance leads with median earnings of $85,033 four years after enrollment and 46 graduates, followed by Accounting with $78,682 and 30 graduates. Business Administration graduates earn $59,629, while International Business and Communication and Media Studies round out the top earners with $58,090 and $58,071 respectively.

The concentration of earnings strength in Business-adjacent fields reflects Stetson University's positioning as a professional-focused private institution. Stetson University's program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.

The dominant program families — Business at 30%, Arts at 11%, and Social Sciences at 11% — align with regional employer demand in Florida's professional services, finance, and hospitality sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with labor-market trends and long-term wage growth.