Texas at Austin vs Stony Brook - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas at Austin admits 26.6% of applicants, while Stony Brook admits 49%.
The more international environment is at Stony Brook (10.2% international students) than Texas at Austin (4.5%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Texas at Austin awards international students $21,838 on average, Stony Brook awards $2,834.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Stony Brook: $32,741 against $44,908, or $12,167 less a year.
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
Texas at Austin is the more selective of the two (26.64% vs 49.04% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#45 vs #301-400). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($75K vs $75K). Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $44,908 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 Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Stony Brook for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Texas at Austin is more selective (26.64% vs 49.04% acceptance); Stony Brook has a higher median SAT (1410 vs 1395).
Texas at Austin graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $75K); Texas at Austin has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.9% vs 75.6%).
Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $44,908); Texas at Austin offers a larger average aid package ($20,219 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas at Austin | Stony Brook |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #45 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 26.64% | 49.04% |
| Yield rate | 47.4% | 14.7% |
| Median SAT | 1395 | 1410 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 72,885 | 55,880 |
| International students | 4.5% | 10.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $51K | $49K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $107K |
| Graduation rate | 88.9% | 75.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.7% | 89.7% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,228 |
| Tuition · year | $44,908 | $32,741 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,219 | $15,261 |
| % of need met | 75% | 0.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $19,919 | $23,558 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 53,864 | 26,689 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas at Austin or Stony Brook?
It's harder to get into Texas at Austin. Texas at Austin accepts 26.64% of applicants, while Stony Brook accepts 49.04%.
Do Texas at Austin or Stony Brook graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $75K at Texas at Austin and $75K at Stony Brook.
How much is tuition at Texas at Austin vs Stony Brook?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin and $32,741 per year at Stony Brook.
What SAT score do you need for Texas at Austin or Stony Brook?
The median admitted SAT score is 1395 at Texas at Austin and 1410 at Stony Brook; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas at Austin or Stony Brook?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #45 for Texas at Austin vs #301-400 for Stony Brook.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas at Austin or Stony Brook?
The average aid package is $20,219 at Texas at Austin and $15,261 at Stony Brook.
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