Stony Brook University's published cost of attendance is $30,539, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,943 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $20,728, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,716.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $30,539 |
| Tuition and Fees | $32,741 |
| Room and Board | $18,196 |
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,755 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,784 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,943 |
| $30–48k | $15,432 |
| $48–75k | $20,728 |
| $75–110k | $23,424 |
| $110k+ | $27,716 |
Stony Brook University's published cost of attendance is $30,539, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,943 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $20,728, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,716. Azimuth ranks Stony Brook University #416 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public research university in New York, Stony Brook University draws on a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs for qualifying students. New York State's Excelsior Scholarship and Tuition Assistance Program extend meaningful support to in-state families, particularly at lower and middle income levels, helping close the gap between the published cost of attendance and what families actually pay. The net price illusion is real here: the sticker price substantially overstates what most in-state families pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,228, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,400; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Stony Brook University's median four-year earnings of $81,850, median federal debt of $18,228 projects to a monthly payment of about $206 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Stony Brook University earn median earnings of $81,850 four years after enrollment, placing Stony Brook University in the 87.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $15,425 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Stony Brook University in the 92.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Stony Brook University #162 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Stony Brook University's concentration in science and quantitative fields. Biological Sciences is the dominant program family, accounting for 11% of degrees, followed by Business at 9% and Engineering at 7%. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile. Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #36 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 591 graduates earning median earnings of $58,137 four years after enrollment. Biology, General ranks #36 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 549 graduates earning $62,574, and Business Administration ranks #67 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 464 graduates earning $72,765. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Applied Mathematics round out the top programs, with Azimuth ranking them #4 and #11 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions respectively.
