Princeton vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ 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 Princeton based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Princeton vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than SUNY Stony Brook ($15,313 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stony Brook University are 10.1% lower than at Princeton University ($18,196 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 473.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $51,757 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.5% higher at Princeton than at Stony Brook University (about $29,947 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Princeton University (98% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 640.2% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($68,727 vs. $9,285).

Princeton vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Princeton vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $54,600 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($77 vs. $196).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.