SUNY Stony Brook vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore ($20,992 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stony Brook University are 10.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,196 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 499.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $54,563 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100% higher at Swarthmore than at Stony Brook University (about $32,753 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Swarthmore College (98% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 563.8% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($61,634 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 110 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Swarthmore 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; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($196 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.