Top Public · Stony Brook, New York
Stony Brook University
Moderately selective. 49.0% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Stony Brook oddsHow hard is it to get into Stony Brook?
Stony Brook is moderately selective, with a 49.0% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1330–1500 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 49.0% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1330–1500 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 29–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $30,539 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,101 |
| Type | Public · Top Public |
| Setting | Campus setting |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Stony Brook's 49.0% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1330–1500 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1330. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Stony Brook?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorStony Brook Test Score Profile
Admitted students score in the following ranges across SAT sections:
SAT Reading
650–730
25th–75th percentile
SAT Math
680–770
25th–75th percentile
Strong applicants tend to score above the 75th percentile in their stronger section and at or above the 25th percentile in their weaker one. Both numbers are descriptive, not prescriptive. Plenty of admitted students score below the 25th percentile in one section, especially with strong context elsewhere.
Beyond the Numbers
Stony Brook is best known for its Simons Center ties, strong physics and math, and the SUNY honors pipeline. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Stony Brook essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Stony Brook essays with tools tuned to Stony Brook's prompts.
Stony Brook vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook This page | 49.0% | 1330–1500 | — |
| UC Berkeley | 11.0% | — | $13,481 |
| UCLA | 9.0% | — | $12,548 |
| UC San Diego | 26.7% | — | $12,470 |
| Michigan | 15.6% | 1360–1530 | $13,138 |
| UNC | 15.3% | 1390–1530 | $11,655 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Stony Brook?
Stony Brook is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 49.0%. Admitted students score in the 1330–1500 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Stony Brook?
Admitted students at Stony Brook typically score between 1330 and 1500 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1500, and a quarter scored below 1330. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Stony Brook's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Stony Brook Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Stony Brook's most recent publicly published admit cycle.