SUNY Stony Brook vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than SUNY Stony Brook based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 26,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or Penn? 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 Penn ($20,992 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stony Brook University are 5.1% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,196 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 528.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $57,755 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.8% higher at Penn than at Stony Brook University (about $35,945 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at University of Pennsylvania (98% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 605% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($65,458 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 120 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at SUNY Stony Brook (3.94).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook vs. 68% at Penn.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $64,300 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($196 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.