Hamilton College vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College 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 Hamilton College ($20,992 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 3.8% lower than at Stony Brook University ($17,510 vs. $18,196).
• Hamilton College is 530.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $58,029 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.6% higher at Hamilton College than at Stony Brook University (about $36,219 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Hamilton College (98% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 497.9% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($55,511 vs. $9,285).

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamilton College 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 Hamilton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 80 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Hamilton College vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,240 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($162 vs. $196).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.