Admit rate has ranged 44%–49% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Stony Brook University is a public research powerhouse on Long Island that combines rigorous academics with SUNY affordability. Known for its strong STEM programs and research opportunities, it attracts a diverse student body with a nearly 50% acceptance rate—but don’t mistake accessibility for ease: median SAT scores hover around 1350-1480, and the six-year graduation rate outpaces SUNY peers at 75%. Campus life is what you make it, with students praising the academic rigor but noting the social scene requires effort to crack.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
18,101
In-state tuition
$10,931
Out-of-state tuition
$32,741
Clubs & Orgs
300+
Acceptance Rate
48.2%
Early Acceptance Rate
70.5%
Student-Faculty Ratio
19:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
75%
Median Earnings (5 Yrs)
$78,458
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$74,502
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.0×
Median debt at graduation
$18,228
Graduation rate
76%
First-year retention
90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
63%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$43,432
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$85,898
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$82,756
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$76,460
Computer and Information Sciences, General$76,170
Computer Engineering$67,101
Engineering, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
14
Per 1,000 students
0.77
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
100
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
30°F
Annual rain
52.5"
Annual snow
18.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
922
Scholarly works
130,040
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University's acceptance rate is approximately 49% (Stony Brook, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Stony Brook University?
Admitted students at Stony Brook University typically score 1330–1500 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Stony Brook University cost?
At Stony Brook University, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,784 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University enrolls approximately 18,101 undergraduate students.
Where is Stony Brook University located?
Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY.
Admissions
Stony Brook’s admissions sit in that sweet spot between selective and accessible: with a 48.2% acceptance rate (Class of 2029) and 64,197 applications received last cycle, it’s competitive but not cutthroat. The middle 50% SAT range is 1350–1480, and ACT scores fall between 29–34—though the university is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.. GPA isn’t officially reported, but Reddit anecdotes suggest admitted students often have 3.4+ GPAs with AP coursework. Early applicants have a significant edge, with a 70.5% early acceptance rate (vs. 49% overall). Notably, Stony Brook is a bargain for in-state students, with a $7,070 in-state tuition that makes it a strategic choice for New Yorkers seeking high ROI.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$62,154
Human Computer Interaction$62,012
Information Science/Studies$60,523
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
With 200+ majors and programs, Stony Brook is a haven for STEM students—particularly in computer science (where MS graduates report median earnings of $222K a decade post-grad) and health sciences, though psychology and business also draw crowds. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning: 90% of courses incorporate writing-intensive components, 80% offer first-year experiences, and 61% use learning communities. The URECA program integrates undergraduates into faculty research early, a rarity for a public university. While Reddit users call out the economics and applied math programs as standouts, they note business majors lack the same prestige. Class sizes are a mixed bag: introductory lectures can be massive, but upper-level seminars shrink to 20 students.
Campus culture leans more ‘studious’ than ‘social’—students frequently note the weekends empty out, and the surrounding town offers limited nightlife. But those who dive in find pockets of vibrancy: the Weekend Life Council hosts hypnotists, movie nights, and even water park trips, while 300+ clubs range from quidditch teams to niche academic societies. Housing is a mixed bag; some dorms are dated, but newer options like West Apartments have kitchens and private baths. Dining gets middling reviews, though the food truck scene perks up midday. The Division I athletics (especially basketball) draw crowds, and the Roth Pond Regatta—where students race homemade boats—is a can’t-miss tradition. One student sums it up: ‘You’ll never feel alone here if you put yourself out there.’
Stony Brook delivers strong ROI, especially for STEM grads. Median earnings are $51,412 one year post-graduation, jumping to $78,458 after five years—well above national averages. The six-year graduation rate is 75% (63.5% in four years), outperforming SUNY peers. Computer science alumni report $163,822 median earnings at the five-year mark, eclipsing many private universities. Notably, 94.9% of MS in Computer Science students graduate within three years. The university’s proximity to NYC and ties to Brookhaven National Lab fuel internship and job pipelines in tech, healthcare, and finance.
As a SUNY school, Stony Brook is a steal for in-state students ($7,070 tuition), though out-of-staters pay $27,840. The average net price after aid is $18,601–$21,875, with 80% of students receiving some form of aid and 69% getting grants (average $7,105). Half take out loans, but the average debt at graduation is manageable compared to private peers. The university offers a Net Price Calculator to estimate personalized costs, and merit scholarships—though not abundant—can chip away at expenses for high-achievers.
Stony Brook punches far above its SUNY weight class in research output and STEM outcomes, offering a public Ivy experience at a fraction of the cost. Its URECA program gives undergrads lab time usually reserved for grad students, while partnerships with Brookhaven Lab and Cold Spring Harbor provide rare opportunities. The campus vibe isn’t for everyone—social life requires initiative—but for self-starters seeking high-caliber academics without elite price tags, it’s a gem. As one student put it: ‘You come for the professors and the price, you stay for the people you meet.’
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