SUNY Stony Brook vs. Buffalo State College

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Buffalo State College based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 6,188 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State University than SUNY Stony Brook ($12,023 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 12.1% lower than at Stony Brook University ($15,986 vs. $18,196).
• Stony Brook University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $2,398 more per year; $10,931.00 vs. $8,533.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.6% higher at SUNY Stony Brook than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $13,088 more per year; $32,741.00 vs. $19,653.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Stony Brook University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 26% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($11,697 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Stony Brook or Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State College and SUNY Stony Brook.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 310 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Buffalo State College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
• Buffalo State College has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Stony Brook and Buffalo State 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 Buffalo State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $2,409 lower median loan debt than Buffalo State College graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,409).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buffalo State College graduates ($196 vs. $221).
• More SUNY Stony Brook graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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.