SUNY Stony Brook Admission Requirements

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SUNY Stony Brook Admission Overview

SUNY Stony Brook admission requirements are competitive. Last year SUNY Stony Brook admitted 49% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (A) and SAT 1330-1500 / ACT 29-33. SUNY Stony Brook is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SUNY Stony Brook Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

49%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Stony Brook University

Acceptance Rate

The SUNY Stony Brook acceptance rate is 49%. Last year, 27,406 of 55,880 applicants were admitted. That is the 28th lowest acceptance rate 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 competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Stony Brook University typically 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. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SUNY Stony Brook GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.94

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.94

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at SUNY Stony Brook typically have around a 3.94 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. SUNY Stony Brook is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

42% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #4 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Stony Brook University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

SUNY Stony Brook Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Stony Brook University is test-optional for first-year applicants. SAT or ACT scores are not required for general admission or for most honors programs. If you want scores used, send official reports from the testing agency; Stony Brook does not accept self-reported scores. SAT or ACT scores are required only if you apply to Scholars for Medicine or Scholars for Dental Medicine.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.stonybrook.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/test-optional.php

SUNY Stony Brook SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1330-1500

Freshmen who sent SAT

34%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 680
  • Composite 1330
SAT 25th percentile scores for Stony Brook University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 730
  • Math 770
  • Composite 1500
SAT 75th percentile scores for Stony Brook University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SUNY Stony Brook typically score around a 1420 SAT (middle 50% 1330–1500) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. SUNY Stony Brook ranks #14 in the state of New York and #92 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1330 to 1500

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

SUNY Stony Brook is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Stony Brook University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1500+ Above 75th >65%
1420 to 1500 Avg + 50%-65%
1330 to 1420 Avg - 34%-50%
Below 1330 Below mid-50 <34%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SUNY Stony Brook ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

29-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

3%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 29
  • Math 27
  • Composite 29
ACT 25th percentile scores for Stony Brook University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 34
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for Stony Brook University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at SUNY Stony Brook typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 29–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SUNY Stony Brook places #17 among colleges in New York and #107 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to SUNY Stony Brook without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Stony Brook University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
33+ Above 75th >65%
31 to 33 Avg + 49%-65%
29 to 31 Avg - 34%-49%
Below 29 Below mid-50 <34%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the SUNY Stony Brook chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Stony Brook University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 30,344 25,499 55,880
Accepted 15,295 12,091 27,406
Acceptance Rate 50% 47% 49%
Enrolled 2,041 2,001 4,042
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 17% 15%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

116

Applicants have 116 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Stony Brook University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SUNY Stony Brook is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 49% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1330-1500); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Stony Brook University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196097.

GPA calculator: Stony Brook University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026