Wellesley vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

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

Stony Brook University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Wellesley ($20,992 vs. $22,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stony Brook University are 13.5% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,196 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 514.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $56,245 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at Wellesley than at Stony Brook University (about $34,435 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Wellesley College (98% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 590.5% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($64,116 vs. $9,285).

Wellesley vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 90 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Wellesley (3.86).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Wellesley vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $10,100 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($8,900 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($92 vs. $196).
• More Wellesley 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.