Princeton vs Stony Brook - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Princeton: 4.4% against 49% (Stony Brook).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Stony Brook awards $2,834.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $55,085 (Stony Brook), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $39,824.
Ten years on, graduates of Princeton earn noticeably more: $110K against $75K.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 49.04% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #301-400). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $75K). Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Stony Brook for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 49.04% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1410).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $75K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 75.6%).
Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Stony Brook |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 49.04% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 14.7% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1410 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 55,880 |
| International students | 13.1% | 10.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $49K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $107K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 75.6% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 89.7% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $18,228 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $32,741 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $15,261 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $23,558 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 26,689 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Stony Brook?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Stony Brook accepts 49.04%.
Do Princeton or Stony Brook graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Stony Brook?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $32,741 per year at Stony Brook.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Stony Brook?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1410 at Stony Brook; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Stony Brook?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #301-400 for Stony Brook.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Stony Brook?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $15,261 at Stony Brook.
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