Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York · Public · 49.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 87/100 · Strong Value
Stony Brook University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,931/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,741/yr |
| Average net price | $18,784/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $75,136 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,502 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,228 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $193 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 75.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,101 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,943 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,432 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,728 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,424 |
| $110,001+ | $27,716 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Stony Brook University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $58,137 | C |
| Biology | $62,574 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,765 | C+ |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $77,075 | C |
| Applied Mathematics | $82,200 | B |
| Economics | $74,965 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $111,898 | A |
| Mathematics | $62,727 | C |
| Sociology | $58,966 | C |
| International Relations | $70,243 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Stony Brook University is $10,931/year ($32,741/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,784/year, or roughly $75,136 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,943/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,716/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,228 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $193 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $74,502 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.41 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 74.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 77.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 49.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 680-770 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-730 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 29-33 |
| Enrollment | 18,101 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 39.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,008 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University (this school) | 87 | $18,784 | $74,502 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 87 | $17,303 | $68,758 |
| Clemson University | 86 | $22,253 | $71,513 |
| University of Connecticut | 85 | $25,097 | $73,997 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Stony Brook University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $18,784 per year ($75,136 over four years), graduates earn a median of $74,502 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 75.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $18,228 is very manageable against $74,502 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.