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Stony Brook University

SUNY Stony Brook State University of New York at Stony Brook

Stony Brook, New York 11794-0701

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedSuburbanGreek lifeSports culture

Strong graduate outcomes — known for biology

Stony Brook University is a public institution in Stony Brook with particular strength in biology and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1410, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 17.4K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

78% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $74,502 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,430.

Established
1957
Mascot
Wolfie the Seawolf
Type
Public research university center
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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49%Acceptance
1410SAT Avg
17,420Students
19:1Student:Faculty
78%Grad Rate
$74,502Earnings 10yr
$18,430Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate49.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1410

Reading & WritingMid: 670
640720
MathMid: 720
680770

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 31
2833

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
38%
First-generation
36%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,560
Tuition (out-of-state)$30,350
Room & Board$17,662
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$29,174
Average Net Price$18,430
Median Debt at Graduation$18,228
Monthly Payment (10yr)$193

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,744
$30–48K$15,813
$48–75K$21,446
$75–110K$24,158
$110K+$26,994

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

64.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

125

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

29

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

14

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

35

Drug Arrests

26

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
19:1

Programs (212)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

89%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
17,420
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
38%

Race & Ethnicity

White 27%
Black 6%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 36%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate77.8%
Freshman Retention88.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$59,492
10 Years$74,502

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#58
vs 2024
Forbes
#84
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#98
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Stony Brook

TennisBasketballLacrosseLacrosse championship

History & Fun Facts

  • Established almost a decade after the creation of New York's public higher education system, the institution was envisioned as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers.
  • Olson was appointed as the first dean of the institution and was instrumental in the recruitment of faculty staff and planning of the later Stony Brook campus.
  • SUCOLI opened with an inaugural class of 148 students, on the grounds of the William Robertson Coe Planting Fields estate.
  • These first students were admitted on a tuition-free basis.
  • 1961 was a year of firsts as 30 students were conferred degrees in the first commencement and the university was appointed its first president, John Francis Lee.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

143Very High

Estimated from NY state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

New Yorkpop. 8.3M
48 mi(83 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
126 mi(218 min)
Bostonpop. 675K
146 mi(253 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ISP Long Island MacArthur8 mi
JFK New York JFK39 mi
LGA New York LaGuardia41 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA146 mi · ~4h 13m drive
New York, NY48 mi · ~1h 23m drive
Hartford, CT63 mi · ~1h 49m drive
Providence, RI109 mi · ~3h 9m drive
Albany, NY124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
Syracuse, NY214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
Rochester, NY278 mi · ~8h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Philadelphia, PA126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Pittsburgh, PA362 mi · ~10h 27m drive
Harrisburg, PA202 mi · ~5h 50m drive
Newark, NJ56 mi · ~1h 37m drive
Trenton, NJ98 mi · ~2h 50m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Stony Brook University Application Checklist

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