SUNY Stony Brook vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stony Brook University is located in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stony Brook University 19:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Stony Brook or VWC? 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 VWC ($20,992 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 34.4% lower than at Stony Brook University ($11,930 vs. $18,196).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 243.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $26,569 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at VWC than at Stony Brook University (about $4,759 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Stony Brook University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 222.3% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($29,923 vs. $9,285).

SUNY Stony Brook vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 170 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming SUNY Stony Brook students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 1330/1500; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stony Brook University 29/33; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC 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. 11.9% at VWC.

SUNY Stony Brook vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Stony Brook and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Stony Brook University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More SUNY Stony Brook graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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.