Washington University vs Stony Brook - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Washington University admits 12.1% of applicants, while Stony Brook admits 49%.
Average aid for an international student is $68,438 (Washington University) and $2,834 (Stony Brook).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $55,085 and ends at $18,685 against $39,824 (Stony Brook).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Washington University: $86K against $75K.
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
Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 49.04% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #301-400). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $75K). Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $69,594 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Stony Brook for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 49.04% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1410).
Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $75K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 75.6%).
Stony Brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Washington University | Stony Brook |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 49.04% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 14.7% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1410 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | - |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 55,880 |
| International students | 9.4% | 10.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $49K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $107K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 75.6% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 89.7% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $18,228 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $32,741 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $15,261 |
| % of need met | 100% | 0.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $23,558 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 26,689 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Stony Brook?
It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Stony Brook accepts 49.04%.
Do Washington University or Stony Brook graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Stony Brook?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $32,741 per year at Stony Brook.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Stony Brook?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1410 at Stony Brook; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Stony Brook?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #301-400 for Stony Brook.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Stony Brook?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $15,261 at Stony Brook.
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