Stony Brook vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Brandeis: 40.5% against 49% (Stony Brook).
The larger international cohort belongs to Brandeis: 19.3% of students against 10.2% (Stony Brook).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Brandeis awards international students $56,730 on average, Stony Brook awards $2,834.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Brandeis lists $93,441 against $55,085 (Stony Brook), but after average aid what remains is $35,934 against $39,824.
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
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 49.04% acceptance). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $75K). Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $70,957 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 Stony Brook for: higher retention, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Brandeis 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
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 49.04% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1410).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $75K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 75.6%).
Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony Brook | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 49.04% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1410 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 10,462 |
| International students | 10.2% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $49K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 87% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony Brook or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Stony Brook accepts 49.04% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Stony Brook or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stony Brook vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony Brook and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Stony Brook or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1410 at Stony Brook and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stony Brook or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony Brook and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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