SUNY Stony Brook vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($20,992 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 13% lower than at Stony Brook University ($15,834 vs. $18,196).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 334.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $36,574 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at Jefferson than at Stony Brook University (about $14,764 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Stony Brook University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 277% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($35,007 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 170 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming SUNY Stony Brook students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than SUNY Stony Brook (49%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $63,600 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($12,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($129 vs. $196).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.