Stony brook vs Rochester — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.1% vs 49% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #151-200). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $75K). Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $67,080 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, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rochester 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
Rochester is more selective (40.1% vs 49% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1488 vs 1419).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $75K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 75.6%).
Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $67,080); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony brook | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | — | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 49% | 40.1% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1419 | 1488 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 21,384 |
| International students | 18% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $79K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $67,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $0 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony brook or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Stony brook accepts 49% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.1%.
Do Stony brook or Rochester graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stony brook vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony brook and $67,080 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Stony brook or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1419 at Stony brook and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Stony brook or Rochester?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony brook vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid — Stony brook or Rochester?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony brook and $60,879 at Rochester.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern