Columbia vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than SUNY Stony Brook based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 26,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Columbia vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or SUNY Stony Brook? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stony Brook University than Columbia ($20,992 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3.4% lower than at Stony Brook University ($17,580 vs. $18,196).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 557.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $60,914 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.4% higher at Columbia than at Stony Brook University (about $39,104 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (98% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 621.7% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($67,010 vs. $9,285).

Columbia vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or SUNY Stony Brook? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY Stony Brook and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Columbia (3.91).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Columbia vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and SUNY Stony Brook? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $48,300 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.