SUNY Stony Brook University, USA - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About SUNY Stony Brook University

Founded in 1957, Stony Brook University was initially established as a college for the preparation of secondary school teachers of mathematics and science. Today, the institution is New York’s flagship and number one public university and a part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Since its inception, Stony Brook University has grown tremendously and has come to be recognized as one of the USA’s most important centers of learning and scholarship. The university offers students over 200 undergraduate programs, along with more than 140 graduate and professional programs. Popular undergraduate majors and graduate programs include applied mathematics and statistics, biology, biochemistry, business management, computer science, economics, health science, mathematics, political science, and psychology.

The Department of Student Engagement & Activities at Stony Brook University is committed to enhancing the student experience by fostering inclusive co-curricular experiences through engaging events and a community of over 500 student organizations. The department facilitates interactions among students, faculty, and staff, which assist in student development and empowerment.

Stony Brook University’s campus, spread over 1,039 acres on the north shore of Long Island, is located around 60 miles east of Manhattan and 60 miles west of Montauk Point. The campus is only a short distance from the Atlantic beaches of the south shore.

University Ranking

Academic Ranking of World Universities

2025 301

2024 301

2023 301

QS World University Rankings

2026 452 8

2025 460 64

2024 396

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

2026 301 50

2025 251

2024 251

Graduate outcomes

Stony Brook University offers a fantastic combination of quality education, affordable tuition, internationally respected research output, professional services, affordability, and a prime location, all within 60 miles of New York City, one of the largest and most diverse employment markets in the world.

SBU is ranked as the number one public university in New York State by U.S. News & World Report 2026, and places 13th nationally for social mobility, highlighting the opportunities that its graduates have when entering the job market. The school’s career center is a hub of resources which students can use to improve their graduate outcomes while at the university.

The school’s new initiative, Stony Brook Mentor Connect, further improves graduate prospects by enabling students to have an alumni mentor who can help them to develop their career plans while still studying, and may offer professional insights, useful contacts, and general advice and guidance to help build confidence before completing their education.

95 percent of recent bachelor’s recipients are either employed or enrolled in graduate/professional school one year after graduation.

What's new

In August 2025, Stony Brook welcomed its 7^th university President, Dr. Andrea Goldsmith. Dr. Goldsmith specializes in Electrical Engineering and joins Stony Brook from Princeton University.

Stony Brook is also excited to announce the Freshman Launch Year (FLY) program. Undergraduate freshmen can start their academic journey at one of three SBU study abroad locations: Florence, Italy; Seoul, Korea; or Shanghai, China. FLY is open to admitted SBU students, new SBU applicants, and students admitted to other U.S. universities.

In Fall 2024, SBU opened the new International Student Center, operated by the International Student Success Office. The center serves as a central hub for international students to connect with campus resources and attend international student success workshops and activities, so they transition more effectively to life at SBU. Additionally, the center provides access to writing tutors, peer mentors, and more.

At the undergraduate level, international students can benefit from newly dedicated academic advisors who are trained to support their unique needs.

Stony Brook Mentor Connect is a new initiative launched by the SBU Career Center. This new platform is focused on developing professional mentor relationships between current students and SBU alumni, with the aim of offering career advice and support through one-on-one meetings with recent SBU graduates. Stony Brook Mentor Connect was launched in spring 2024 as a pilot initiative with 150 mentors and has received praise and much positive feedback. The university aims to enlist an additional 250 alumni before the start of the 2024 fall semester.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

26,12,448 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

19,96,275 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

Stony Brook University is committed to the success of its students. The Financial Aid website is a great resource for international students looking for scholarship opportunities. Undergraduate students are automatically considered for the merit-based Global Excellence Scholarship upon application, and are also eligible to apply to the ‘You Are Welcome Here’ scholarship after submitting their SBU application. At the postgraduate level, students may be considered for teaching assistant, research assistant, and graduate assistant opportunities at the discretion of their department.

SBU also runs a generous program of scholarships and bursaries. The school’s Scholarship Universe is a free online platform that matches individual students with available scholarships based on their personal profiles and eligibility. Students can also take advantage of opportunities through the External Fellowships and Scholarships advising office.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

With an admission rate of 48 percent, Stony Brook University is considered to be a highly selective institution, with less than half of applicants receiving a place on their program of choice. With a formidable academic reputation to uphold, as well as being within the top ten most diverse universities in the United States, the school’s Admissions Committee seeks to enroll the most academically accomplished and most diverse class possible.

Each applicant is assessed individually, and there is no standardized route to entry, either in grade point average, rank, or test scores. Applications are reviewed holistically, with the committee taking into account relevant work and life experiences in addition to academic achievements.

Applications are made online, and prospective students must include the following in their submission:

Official school transcript
Standardized test scores (optional for undergraduate programs and select postgraduate programs)
English proficiency scores
Letter(s) of recommendation
Personal statement
Application fee

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Stony Brook University is widely regarded as the top public university in the state of New York, and one of the best public universities in the entire country. It is a flagship institution of the SUNY education system, which is a testament to its impressive academic heritage and excellent teaching credentials.

Students are taught by a highly qualified faculty comprising academics, researchers, professionals and practitioners with extensive industry experience and excellent teaching skills, able to effectively communicate their expertise to students from all backgrounds. Around 98 percent of tenured faculty members hold doctoral degrees, or the highest degrees in their respective fields.

Students benefit from small class sizes, with more than a third of all classes having fewer than 20 students. This means more contact time with staff, more opportunities for feedback, and a more personalized learning experience. Overall, the university has a 19:1 staff to student ratio which is an improvement on the SUNY average.

Stony Brook University co-manages Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), one of the nation's leading research institutions, and is the largest academic user of BNL facilities. The partnership between BNL and Stony Brook University is robust, characterized by numerous joint faculty appointments and extensive collaborative research endeavors.

Department structure

Stony Brook University offers an impressive portfolio of study options, with more than 200 undergraduate programs and over 140 graduate and professional programs to choose from.

The university’s high-quality curriculum includes programs with a balance of academic rigor and practical learning, ensuring that students gain a well-rounded education and develop the skills and abilities necessary for a smooth transition to working life.

Programs are delivered by 12 academic schools and colleges, each offering a distinctive learning experience that carries the high standard of tuition and support that SBU is known for.

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
School of Dental Medicine
School of Health Professions
School of Communication and Journalism
School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences
School of Nursing
School of Medicine
School of Professional Development
School of Social Welfare
The Graduate School

Popular programs at SBU include biology, psychology, health science, business management, computer science, economics, applied mathematics and statistics, biochemistry, mathematics and political science.