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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Stony Brook typically score 1320-1490 on the SAT, with a midpoint of 1410. The middle 50% range means that 25% of enrolled students score below 1320, while 25% score above 1490, indicating that students outside this range are admitted but in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores range from 680-770, while SAT Verbal scores span 640-720, showing particularly strong mathematical preparation among admitted students. ACT scores range from 28-33 with a midpoint of 31, reflecting similar academic preparation. The peer median SAT score of 1198 highlights Stony Brook's significantly higher academic standards, with admitted students averaging 212 points higher than typical peer institutions. These test score ranges place Stony Brook among institutions with exceptional academic standards, ranking in the 99.0th percentile for both SAT and ACT performance. Students scoring within the 1320-1490 SAT range should consider themselves academically competitive for admission. Those scoring below 1300 face greater challenges but should not assume automatic exclusion, as holistic admissions consider factors beyond test scores. Students should recognize that these ranges reflect enrolled students, not all admitted students, meaning the admission pool likely includes students with somewhat lower scores who chose other institutions.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Stony Brook enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both its selective academic standards and commitment to access. The university serves 38.4% Pell-eligible students, indicating substantial enrollment of students from lower-income families despite its selective admission profile. First-generation college students comprise 36.1% of the student body, demonstrating significant representation of students whose parents did not complete college. Transfer students make up 26.6% of enrollment, showing meaningful pathways for students from community colleges and other institutions. This composition suggests that Stony Brook balances academic selectivity with socioeconomic diversity, enrolling students from varied economic and educational backgrounds. The high Pell and first-generation shares distinguish Stony Brook from many selective institutions, which often serve predominantly affluent populations. Students from lower-income families should recognize that more than one-third of their potential classmates share similar economic backgrounds. Transfer applicants should note the substantial transfer population, indicating institutional support for students following non-traditional pathways. This demographic profile positions Stony Brook as accessible to students from diverse backgrounds while maintaining competitive academic standards.
Given Stony Brook's 49% acceptance rate and competitive academic profile, many qualified applicants will need alternative options. The schools below offer comparable career outcomes with different admission profiles or geographic advantages.
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Students who enroll at Stony Brook demonstrate strong persistence and completion outcomes. The retention rate of 88.7% means that nearly 9 in 10 freshmen return for sophomore year, indicating strong student satisfaction and academic support. This retention rate exceeds the peer median of 83.7% by 5 percentage points, suggesting above-average institutional effectiveness in supporting student success. The six-year graduation rate of 77.8% significantly outperforms the peer median of 65.9% by nearly 12 percentage points, indicating strong degree completion outcomes. Pell-eligible students graduate at 74.1%, creating a 3.7 percentage point gap with the overall completion rate. This relatively small Pell gap suggests effective institutional support for lower-income students, as many institutions show much larger completion disparities. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with retention and graduation rates well above national averages. Lower-income students should find encouragement in the narrow Pell completion gap, indicating that the university provides adequate support systems for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Prospective students should view these outcomes as indicators of the academic environment and support structure they will experience if enrolled.
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