SUNY Stony Brook vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than Brown based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 11,956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; Brown University 6:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Brown? 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 Brown ($20,992 vs. $26,256).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 4.1% lower than at Stony Brook University ($17,444 vs. $18,196).
• Brown University is 553.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $60,481 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.1% higher at Brown than at Stony Brook University (about $38,671 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Brown University (98% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 561.2% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($61,392 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Stony Brook or Brown? 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 Brown and SUNY Stony Brook.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Brown 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: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Brown - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have the same average high school GPA (3.94) as students at Brown (3.94).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 65.2% at Brown.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Stony Brook and Brown? 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).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.