Stony brook vs Temple — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Stony brook is the more selective of the two (49% vs 80.4% 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 $64K). Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $38,958 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 selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Temple for: a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stony brook is more selective (49% vs 80.4% acceptance); Stony brook has a higher median SAT (1419 vs 1250).
Stony brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $64K); Stony brook has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.6% vs 75%).
Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $38,958); Temple offers a larger average aid package ($17,833 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony brook | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 49% | 80.4% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1419 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.40 |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 40,817 |
| International students | 18% | 6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $64K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 83% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $38,958 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | $0 | $55 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony brook or Temple?
It's harder to get into Stony brook. Stony brook accepts 49% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.4%.
Do Stony brook or Temple graduates earn more?
Stony brook graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $75K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Stony brook vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony brook and $38,958 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Stony brook or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1419 at Stony brook and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Stony brook or Temple?
Stony brook ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony brook vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid — Stony brook or Temple?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony brook and $17,833 at Temple.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern