Stony Brook, NY Overview
Stony Brook University, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York. Known for its strengths in science, engineering, and health sciences, Stony Brook is home to the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, which promotes effective communication of complex scientific topics.
There are currently 17,406 undergraduates at Stony Brook and the school’s acceptance rate is 49%. The tuition at Stony Brook is $10,560 for in-state students and $28,480 for out-of-state.
Suburb
SupplementalEssay
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
17,406
Pell Grant 37%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 6%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Stony Brook
34% Asian / Pacific Islander
27% White
15% Hispanic
10% International / Non-Citizen
6% Black
5% Unknown
3% Multiracial
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
19:1
Graduation Rate
78%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
16%
16% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
16%
16% of graduates
Psychology
11%
11% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
9%
9% of graduates
Social Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Mathematics
8%
8% of graduates
Engineering
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
4%
4% of graduates
Physical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
1%
1% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$30,518
$31,206
$17,232
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$30,518for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$48,438for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Stony Brook is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Stony Brook is $30,518 for in-state students in NY, and $48,438 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Stony Brook would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Stony Brook
If you are a New York State resident considering Stony Brook, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.
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Stony Brook University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Stony Brook University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Stony Brook University is 002838.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Pell Grants at Stony Brook University
40% of students at Stony Brook University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Stony Brook University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Stony Brook students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
49%
31
1355 is the median SAT score and 31 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Stony Brook. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
Stony Brook is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Stony Brook via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Stony Brook have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to Stony Brook University will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Stony Brook Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Stony Brook test-optional?
Stony Brook University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Stony Brook University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Stony Brook University receive between a 28 and a 34 on their ACT, or a 1270 and a 1470 on their SAT.
Early Decision
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Stony Brook?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Stony Brook during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Stony Brook students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by October 15.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Stony Brook?
Applying to Stony Brook with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$74,502
Median Debt $18,228
Debt 10 years after graduation $193
Graduation Rate 78%
What is the graduation rate at Stony Brook University?
78% of students who start at Stony Brook University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 20% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Stony Brook University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Stony Brook University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $74,502. This is $24,111 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Stony Brook take out in loans?
Graduates of Stony Brook have to take out a median of $18,228 in federal student loans. This is $4,728 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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