Kansas vs Stony brook — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Stony brook is the more selective of the two (49% vs 93.5% acceptance). Stony brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $32,741 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Kansas for: lower tuition, a larger aid package.
Choose Stony brook for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stony brook is more selective (49% vs 93.5% acceptance); Stony brook has a higher median SAT (1419 vs 1190).
Stony brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $62K); Stony brook has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.6% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $32,741); Kansas offers a larger average aid package ($19,700 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas | Stony brook |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% | 49% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 14.7% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1419 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | — |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 55,880 |
| International students | 7% | 18% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $75K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $107K |
| Graduation rate | 68.8% | 75.6% |
| Retention rate | 86% | 89.7% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,228 |
| Tuition · year | $30,432 | $32,741 |
| Avg. aid package | $19,700 | $15,261 |
| % of need met | 78.6% | 0.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,212 | $23,558 |
| Application fee | $40 | $0 |
| Enrollment | 29,792 | 26,689 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas or Stony brook?
It's harder to get into Stony brook. Kansas accepts 93.5% of applicants, while Stony brook accepts 49%.
Do Kansas or Stony brook graduates earn more?
Stony brook graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $75K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Kansas vs Stony brook?
Sticker-price tuition is $30,432 per year at Kansas and $32,741 per year at Stony brook.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or Stony brook?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1419 at Stony brook; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Kansas or Stony brook?
The average aid package is $19,700 at Kansas and $15,261 at Stony brook.
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