Stony Brook, NY · Private University
Is Stony Brook University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$74,502
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,560
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,350
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$121,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.46x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
77.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,228
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,430
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Stony Brook University graduates earn $29,502 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Stony Brook University ranked by graduate earnings
247 graduates
50 graduates
336 graduates
31 graduates
64 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Stony Brook University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Stony Brook University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $121,708) and the lowest (Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology: $38,257) is $83,451/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $121,708 | 4.0x |
| Computer Engineering | $99,098 | 3.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $95,054 | 3.1x |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,060 | 3.1x |
| Information Science/Studies | $88,954 | 2.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,654 | 2.9x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $87,185 | 2.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $82,169 | 2.7x |
| Human Computer Interaction | $81,573 | 2.7x |
| Engineering, General | $80,280 | 2.6x |
| Applied Mathematics | $75,438 | 2.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $74,723 | 2.5x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $73,322 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering(1yr data) | $71,856 | 2.4x |
| Physics | $69,154 | 2.3x |
| Economics | $67,617 | 2.2x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $63,797 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $63,266 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,920 | 2.1x |
| Chemistry | $62,853 | 2.1x |
| Mathematics | $58,217 | 1.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $57,201 | 1.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $51,556 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $51,165 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $50,246 | 1.7x |
| History | $49,236 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $47,372 | 1.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $47,129 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,635 | 1.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $44,369 | 1.5x |
| Anthropology | $43,848 | 1.4x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $40,254 | 1.3x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyLowest | $38,257 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | 2.46x | $74,502 | Strong ROI |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 4.93x | $75,971 | Strong ROI |
| Binghamton University | 2.74x | $80,596 | Strong ROI |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 1.82x | $71,631 | Good ROI |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 2.06x | $82,860 | Strong ROI |
| CUNY Hunter College | 4.12x | $63,163 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Stony Brook University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $74,502 10 years after starting — $29,502 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.1 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.