Buffalo State vs Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo State and Stony Brook University, both esteemed institutions within the State University of New York system, offer distinct educational experiences. Buffalo State, nestled in the vibrant city of Buffalo, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on undergraduate education, with a notably higher acceptance rate compared to Stony Brook. In contrast, Stony Brook, situated on Long Island, is a comprehensive research university with a more selective admissions process and a wider range of graduate programs. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Buffalo State is renowned for its programs in education, social work, and the arts, while Stony Brook is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover further distinctions between these two exceptional institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Stony Brook University |
![]() SUNY Buffalo State |
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Overview |
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Location | Stony Brook, New York | Buffalo, New York |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 48.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 48.1% | 84.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$100
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1300 - 1480 | 930 - 1160 |
ACT range | 29 - 33 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 37.0% | 19.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 38,826 | 12,057 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,659 | 10,193 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,416 | 1,344 |
Yield rate | 18.3% | 13.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$34,187
Out of state:
$52,107
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In state:
$27,150
Out of state:
$37,060
|
Average net price | $16,445 | $9,998 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$24,990
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In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$16,980
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,908
Meal plan:
$5,590
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Room/dormitory:
$8,506
Meal plan:
$5,880
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
73.0%
Average amount $10,370 |
88.0%
Average amount $9,663 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $4,942 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,720 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $15,080 |
3.0%
Average amount $10,210 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,999
Men 48.9% Women 51.1% |
6,147
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
Graduate students |
8,609
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
1,026
Men 25.7% Women 74.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 11.3% | 2.5% |
International students | 13.3% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 10,420 | 2,842 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi | New York New Jersey Mississippi California Connecticut |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.7% | 41.2% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 19.8% |
Transferred out | 13.4% | 37.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees)
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