RPI vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 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 RPI based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

RPI vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 RPI ($20,992 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 0.4% lower than at Stony Brook University ($18,120 vs. $18,196).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 486.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $53,150 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at RPI than at Stony Brook University (about $31,340 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 368.7% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($43,517 vs. $9,285).

RPI vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 20 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming RPI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

RPI vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($196 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.