Stony brook vs Harvard — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 49% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $75K). Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $61,676 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: lower tuition.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 49% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1419).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $75K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 75.6%).
Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $61,676); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony brook | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | — | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 49% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1419 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 54,008 |
| International students | 18% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $139K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 98% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $61,676 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $0 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony brook or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Stony brook accepts 49% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.6%.
Do Stony brook or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stony brook vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony brook and $61,676 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Stony brook or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1419 at Stony brook and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Stony brook or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony brook vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid — Stony brook or Harvard?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony brook and $74,387 at Harvard.
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina