Stony Brook vs NYU: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for Stony Brook University and New York University, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Stony Brook vs NYU at a glance
Stony Brook admits 49% of applicants and NYU 9.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $18,902 at Stony Brook and $35,737 at NYU. Six-year graduation rates are 77.1% and 87.8%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- Stony Brook admits 49% of applicants and NYU 9.2%, so NYU is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $18,902 a year at Stony Brook and $35,737 at NYU; Stony Brook costs $16,835 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $13,938 at Stony Brook and $16,349 at NYU.
- 77.1% of students graduate within six years at Stony Brook, against 87.8% at NYU.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $83,232 for Stony Brook and $90,957 for NYU; NYU is $7,725 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $18,500 at Stony Brook and $19,000 at NYU.
- Stony Brook enrolls 18,101 students (large suburb) and NYU 28,663 (large city).
- Stony Brook is a public college and NYU is a private nonprofit college.
Side by side
Stony Brook and NYU in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | Stony Brook | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 49% | 9.2% |
| Applicants | 38,826 | 95,517 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1330–1500 | 1480–1560 |
| ACT middle 50% | 29–33 | 34–35 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $18,902 | $35,737 |
| Tuition, in state | $10,931 | $65,622 |
| Tuition, out of state | $34,911 | $65,622 |
| Cost of attendance | $31,654 | $86,574 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $13,938 | $16,349 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,754 | $15,400 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,285 | $21,188 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,140 | $31,450 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,664 | $68,303 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 77.1% | 87.8% |
| First-year retention | 89.8% | 95.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $83,232 | $90,957 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $18,500 | $19,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $210 | $216 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 18,101 | 28,663 |
| Type | Public | Private nonprofit |
| Setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
| Location | Stony Brook, NY | New York, NY |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
Stony Brook reports 63 bachelor's programs and NYU 77; 35 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Stony Brook vs NYU
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Stony Brook or NYU?
NYU is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Stony Brook admits 49% of applicants and NYU admits 9.2%. Middle 50% SAT scores: Stony Brook 1330–1500; NYU 1480–1560.
Which is cheaper, Stony Brook or NYU?
Stony Brook has the lower average net price after grants: $18,902 a year at Stony Brook against $35,737 at NYU. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $13,938 and $16,349. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Stony Brook or NYU graduates earn more?
NYU graduates earn more at the median: $83,232 ten years after entry for Stony Brook and $90,957 for NYU. Median federal debt at graduation is $18,500 and $19,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Stony Brook or NYU?
NYU does: 77.1% of Stony Brook students graduate within six years, against 87.8% at NYU.
How big are Stony Brook and NYU?
Stony Brook has 18,101 students in Stony Brook, NY and NYU has 28,663 students in New York, NY.