SUNY Stony Brook vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than SUNY Stony Brook ($18,211 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.7% lower than at Stony Brook University ($16,436 vs. $18,196).
• Stony Brook University is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $1,978 more per year; $10,931.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.5% higher at SUNY Stony Brook than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $13,538 more per year; $32,741.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at SUNY at Purchase College (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 12.4% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($10,432 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 140 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming SUNY Stony Brook students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Stony Brook University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($196 vs. $232).
• More SUNY Stony Brook graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 65%)

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.