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Stony Brook University (SBU) is a public research institution located in Stony Brook, New York. Officially titled the State University of New York at Stony Brook, the school was founded in 1957. It is New York’s flagship university and part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Notably, the institution was ranked as the number one public university in New York in the US News & World Report 2023 Best Colleges.


Overview of Stony Brook University (SBU)


Driven by momentum to make a real difference, the students, faculty, and staff at Stony Brook University strive to pave the way to a brighter future. The institution is dedicated to carrying out research and intellectual endeavors of the highest international standards that advance knowledge and have immediate and/or long-range practice significant worldwide.

The total student population is 26,608, with 17,999 enrolled in undergraduate programs. The school also employs approximately 2,100 full-time and 780 part-time faculty members. The majority of these professionals focus solely on instructional efforts, although 109 faculty members dedicate time to research and public service. The institution also maintains 1,124 graduate assistants, 899 of whom help with instruction and 225 of whom provide research support. Overall, the school’s student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, which is slightly above the national average.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting Suburb: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 19 : 1
Graduation Rate 78%
Year Founded NA

Student Enrollment


Total Students26,608

Undergraduate
17,999
Graduate
8,609

Undergraduate Student

Male 8,820
8,820
Female 9,179
9,179

Graduate Student

Male 4,218
4,218
Female 4,391
4,391

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SBU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS38,826

Male 17,177
Female 21,649

ACCEPTANCE18,636

Male 7,730
Female 10,825

Acceptance Rate48%

Male 45%
Female 50%

Enrollment 3,355

Male 1,546
Female 1,840
Admissions
Application Fee $50
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Considered But Not Required
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Required
Recommendations Required
SAT/ACT Considered But Not Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline January 15
Common Application Accepted Yes

SBU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


As a public research university, Stony Brook University costs less than most private institutions. The total cost of attendance depends on state residency and the type of degree sought. As of spring 2023, New York state residents enrolled in undergraduate classes can expect to pay $5,280. Out-of-state residents, on the other hand, will pay $14,240 for the same course load.

Graduate students are charged at different rates depending on the program chosen. For in-state residents, the cost ranges from $5,280 to $13,876. Those from other states, however, must pay between $12,421 and $16,666 for the same number of courses.

It’s important to realize that students will likely be responsible for related fees as well. Depending on the course enrollment, additional fees may apply to offset the costs of chemicals, supplies, materials, or maintenance associated with a class. All full-time, domestic students at Stony Brook University are also automatically billed for the University Health Insurance plan at the beginning of each semester. As of the spring 2023 semester, the cost of this insurance was $2,369.

Prospective students must also anticipate paying for books, supplies, transportation, housing, and food. Stony Brook University does offer room and board options, but the cost varies significantly depending on the residence hall and meal plan selected.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Stony Brook University is committed to providing students and their families with the knowledge necessary to obtain the financial assistance they need. In order to qualify for aid, those enrolled must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is used when determining eligibility for federal and need-based assistance. Many institutional scholarships are also available at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

As of the 2020 – 2021 academic year, 82% of full-time beginning undergraduate students at Stony Brook University received some form of financial aid. However, 37% of students still required some amount of student loan aid.

Average net price 2020-2021
Net Price $16,445
Average Total Aid $10,370
Students Receiving Financial Aid 82%
Room & Board $16,408

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $10,560
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $28,480
  • Books and Supplies - $900
  • Room & Board - $16,408
  • Other - $2,650

Popular Academic Programs at SBU


Stony Brook University is a center of academic excellence and an internationally recognized research institution that offers all students a world-class education. It provides comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional education of the highest quality. The school’s mission to advance the community and world through knowledge and discovery is shown through the various activities and programs offered. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 200 majors, minors, and combined-degree programs, while the graduate school offers 48 programs in the arts and sciences.

All academic areas of study are offered in the following schools and colleges:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • Graduate School
  • Renaissance School of Medicine
  • School of Communication and Journalism
  • School of Dental Medicine
  • School of Health Professionals
  • School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Professional Development
  • School of Social Welfare

The institution is particularly well-known for its health professions education. As Long Island’s premier academic medical center, Stony Brook Medicine represents the University’s entire medical enterprise. All of the health sciences schools integrate important health-related initiatives such as education, research, and patient care.

According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the retention rate for first-time, undergraduate freshmen who began their studies at Stony Brook University in 2021 was an excellent 89% for full-time students and 75% for part-time students. Notably, the national average is only 68%. Overall, this indicates that most students enrolled at the university chose to return to further their educations.

The overall graduation rate for students who began their studies in fall 2015 was 78%, with a 13% transfer-out rate, which may well translate to a graduation rate as high as 90+%. This means that well over half of students were able to complete requirements within 150% of normal time, which is six years. Additionally, 64% of students who began pursuing bachelor’s degrees in 2015 were able to graduate within only four years, which is a very high percentage compared to other institutions.

Stony Brook University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is recognized by the US Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Additionally, many of the schools, colleges, and programs within the institution have obtained specialized accreditation. Notable examples include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), American Psychological Association (APA), and National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).

Student Population Total


Student Population 26,608

Undergraduate
17,999
Graduate
8,609
Evening Classes : No
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Health Professions and Related Majors 729 Total Graduates / 16%
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 446 Graduates
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 219 Graduates
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist 44 Graduates
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 20 Graduates
All Biological and Biomedical Sciences Majors 719 Total Graduates / 16%
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 532 Graduates
Biochemistry 121 Graduates
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography 44 Graduates
Evolutionary Biology 12 Graduates
All Psychology Majors 524 Total Graduates / 11%
Psychology, General 524 Graduates
All Business Majors 435 Total Graduates / 9%
Business Administration and Management, General 435 Graduates
All Social Sciences Majors 387 Total Graduates / 8%
Economics, General 186 Graduates
Political Science and Government, General 120 Graduates
Sociology, General 72 Graduates
Anthropology, General 9 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 28%

Outcome & Salary


Stony Brook University collects information about its graduates in a variety of ways to better understand their pathways following graduation. The most recent survey of 2020-2021 graduates was conducted in fall 2021. The response rate was 13%.

Based on the responses received, 62% of graduates were employed and 32% were continuing their education. Rates were better for some schools than others. The best employment results were among nursing, communication, journalism, and marine and atmospheric sciences. Top employment locations include New York and other states in the northeast. Amazon, CBS Sports, Google, Intuit, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, NASA, National Institute of Health, Pfizer, Tesla, and the US Coast Guard are examples of some of the employers mentioned.

The institution also participates in the Post-Secondary Education Outcomes (PSEO) with the US Census Bureau and receives earnings information of graduates aggregated by disciplines. The most recent data represents salaries of bachelor’s recipients one year and five years after graduation. Nursing graduates had the highest pay, with a salary of $92,461 one year after graduation and a salary of $101,658 five years after graduation. Other top performing majors include allied health, computer engineering, civil engineering, computer science, and information science.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $63,900
College Grads Average Salary $49,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $116,800
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $490,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,658,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $65,780
10 Year Projected ROI $424,220
20 Year Projected ROI $1,592,220
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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