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#25 Best Public Universities in America

SUNY Stony Brook Admission Requirements

Stony Brook, New York

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Your chances of getting into Stony Brook University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

49.1%
Admission Difficulty for Stony Brook University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SUNY Stony Brook is 49.1%.  Its admission rate is the 27th lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SUNY Stony Brook and can you get accepted?

SUNY Stony Brook is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 19,908 out of the 40,513 who applied were admitted.

Stony Brook University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.94. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SUNY Stony Brook?

49% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Stony Brook University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.94 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1410 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

SUNY Stony Brook GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.94

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Stony Brook University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SUNY Stony Brook are to have around a 3.94 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to SUNY Stony Brook will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SUNY Stony Brook is 3.94 on the 4.0 scale. 42% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SUNY Stony Brook is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Stony Brook University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 42.26% Good
3.75 to 3.99 28.65% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 17.66% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 7.35% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.64% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.38% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.06% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

SUNY Stony Brook SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Stony Brook University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 41% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1320-1500

Applicants Submitting SAT 

41%
SAT Scores for Stony Brook University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 680
Composite 25th Percentile 1320
SAT Scores for Stony Brook University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 720
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1500
Average SAT Score 1410

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Stony Brook University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SUNY Stony Brook is 1410 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1320-1500. Students who get into Stony Brook University score in the top 10 percent of all SAT test takers..  SUNY Stony Brook ranks #14 in the state of New York and #87 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1410 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SUNY Stony Brook regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1320 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1320, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1230, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Stony Brook University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1410 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1410, you have around a 49% chance of being admitted. A 1500 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 65% chance of getting in.

Stony Brook University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1500 and Above Good >65%
1410 to 1500 Avg + 49%-65%
1320 to 1410 Avg - 34%-49%
1230 to 1320 Reach 21%-34%
Less than 1230 Low <21%
Calculate My Chances 

SUNY Stony Brook ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Stony Brook University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 28
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Stony Brook University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SUNY Stony Brook?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SUNY Stony Brook is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 34.  The school ranks #18 in New York and #98 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 25.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Stony Brook University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Stony Brook University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SUNY Stony Brook for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 49% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 65% with a 34 ACT score.

Stony Brook University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >65%
31 to 34 Avg + 49%-65%
28 to 31 Avg - 34%-49%
25 to 28 Reach 21%-34%
Less than 25 Low <21%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of Stony Brook University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Stony Brook University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 44%
Top 25% of class 76%
Top 50% of class 96%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Stony Brook University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 22,420 18,093 40,513
Accepted 11,584 8,324 19,908
Acceptance Rate 52% 46% 49%
Enrolled 1,736 1,611 3,347
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 19% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

55

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Stony Brook University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Stony Brook University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Stony Brook University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Stony Brook University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because SUNY Stony Brook is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.94 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1410 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1500 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 31 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Stony Brook University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196097 IPEDS survey data for Stony Brook University.

Last updated February 24, 2024