Skip to content

College Comparison

Princeton University vs Stony Brook University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

School

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricPrincetonStony Brook
Acceptance Rate4.5%wins49.0%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1580wins1320–1490
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins28–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$59,710$30,350wins
Avg Net Price$10,555wins$18,430
Median Earnings (10 yr)$110,066wins$74,502
Graduation Rate97.1%wins77.8%
Retention Rate97.3%wins88.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio5:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment5,57917,420wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Princeton edges out Stony Brook on 8 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Princeton Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 4.5%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1580
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Avg Net Price: $10,555

Stony Brook Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $30,350
  • Total Enrollment: 17,420

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons