Stony Brook University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Stony Brook, New York · Public · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Stony Brook University is a public university in Stony Brook, New York that admits about 49% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $18,784 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Biology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 76% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Stony Brook University is a public institution located in Stony Brook, New York with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Stony Brook University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 49%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1410 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,784 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Stony Brook University?
57% of enrolled students at Stony Brook University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Stony Brook University weight in admissions?
Stony Brook University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
SAT and ACT scores Stony Brook University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 680–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1340 |
| 50th percentile | 1410 |
| 75th percentile | 1480 |
| % submitting SAT | 34% |
| 25th percentile | 29 |
| 50th percentile | 31 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 3% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 48% |
| Top 25% of class | 81% |
| Top 50% of class | 97% |
| % submitting class rank | 25% |
How much does Stony Brook University actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,931 for in-state students and $32,741 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,196 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,784 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 39% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $7,070 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,880 |
| Room and board | $18,196 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,784 |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Stony Brook University
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
Will my child graduate from Stony Brook University?
These predict outcomes at Stony Brook University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Stony Brook University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Stony Brook University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Stony Brook University confers roughly 3,222 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $60,999 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 591 | $60,999 |
| Biology, General | 549 | $68,096 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 464 | $74,434 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 446 | $77,240 |
| Applied Mathematics | 399 | $89,923 |
| Economics | 296 | $80,632 |
| Computer Science | 258 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 219 | $106,785 |
Is Stony Brook University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Stony Brook University disclosed 43 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 10 violent offenses and 21 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Stony Brook University?
About 52% of undergraduates at Stony Brook University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Stony Brook University
Common questions parents ask about Stony Brook University
What GPA do I need for Stony Brook University?
57% of enrolled students at Stony Brook University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Stony Brook University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 680–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–33.
How much does Stony Brook University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Stony Brook University after grants and scholarships is $18,784 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,931 and $32,741 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Stony Brook University realistic for my child?
Stony Brook University admits 49% of applicants, so 680–770 SAT Math is target range and below 680 is a reach. Then check the $18,784 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University accepts about 49% of applicants out of roughly 55,880 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Stony Brook University test-optional?
Yes. Stony Brook University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Stony Brook University?
About 76% of students at Stony Brook University graduate within six years, and 65% finish in four years. 90% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Stony Brook University look for in applicants?
Stony Brook University rates course rigor, GPA, test scores and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Stony Brook University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Stony Brook University is a public institution located in Stony Brook, New York.
What are the most popular majors at Stony Brook University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Stony Brook University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Biology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 3,222 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Stony Brook University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Stony Brook University reported 43 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Stony Brook University?
At Stony Brook University, 52% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Stony Brook University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers