Stony Brook vs Princeton - 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 (#301-400 vs #7). 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 Stony Brook for: lower tuition.
Choose Princeton 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
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 | Stony Brook | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 49.04% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1410 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 42,303 |
| International students | 10.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $49K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 99% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony Brook or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Stony Brook accepts 49.04% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Stony Brook or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stony Brook vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony Brook and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Stony Brook or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1410 at Stony Brook and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stony Brook or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony Brook vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stony Brook or Princeton?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony Brook and $79,320 at Princeton.
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