Stony Brook vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The larger international cohort belongs to Stony Brook: 10.2% of students against 3.3% (Central Florida).
The tuition gap is $8,665 a year: $24,076 (Central Florida) against $32,741.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Stony Brook: $75K against $58K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Stony Brook: a midpoint of 1410 against 1260, a difference of 150 points.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Central Florida is the more selective of the two (44.71% vs 49.04% acceptance). Stony Brook ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #401-500). Stony Brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 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 Stony Brook for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose Central Florida for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Central Florida is more selective (44.71% vs 49.04% acceptance); Stony Brook has a higher median SAT (1410 vs 1260).
Stony Brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $58K); Central Florida has a higher 6-year graduation rate (78% vs 75.6%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $32,741); Stony Brook offers a larger average aid package ($15,261 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony Brook | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 49.04% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1410 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 55,135 |
| International students | 10.2% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $49K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | - | $30 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony Brook or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Central Florida. Stony Brook accepts 49.04% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Stony Brook or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Stony Brook graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $75K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Stony Brook vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony Brook and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Stony Brook or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1410 at Stony Brook and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stony Brook or Central Florida?
Stony Brook ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony Brook vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stony Brook or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony Brook and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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