Binghamton University vs Stony Brook University

Binghamton University vs Stony Brook University

Binghamton University is a well-regarded public research university in Vestal, New York, within the Binghamton metropolitan area. It is a mid-sized university with around 18,456 undergraduate students enrolled. Competitive admissions have an acceptance rate of roughly 37.7%. Some of the most popular majors are Social Sciences, Business, English & Literature, Psychology, and Biology. The six-year graduation rate is 77%, and median earnings of graduates are around INR 53,47,000 a decade after graduation ($64,500 median earnings converted).

Stony Brook University is a well-known public research university situated in Stony Brook, New York, on Long Island. It's a large university with approximately 25,865 undergraduate students. Admission is moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of approximately 49%. Prevalent majors are Social Sciences, Health Professions, Biology, Psychology, and Business. The six-year graduation rate is 67%, and graduate salaries have a median value of around INR 49,00,000 ten years after graduation (converted from $59,300 median earnings).

Overview Comparison
Binghamton UniversityStony Brook University
Collegedunia Score5 Out of 105.1 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
# 713 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 301 Times Higher Education 2026
# 452 QS World University 2026
# 215 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 117 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 601 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023
# 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -50
PG Programs -32
Doctorate Programs -4
UG Programs -45
PG Programs -38
Acceptance Rate37.7 %49.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
SAT-1290
TOEFL-80
IELTS-6
SAT-1210
TOEFL-80
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   24660
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  23100
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 31349 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   24740
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28890
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 32781 Per Year
placement (average package)

84% of the graduates seeking employment get employed within six months of graduation. The average salary is around $64,385. Top employers include: Amazon, BNY Mellon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, KPMG, JP MorganChase &Co., Deloitte etc


Around 94% of the bachelors program students secure employment or continue education after graduation. Some of the majors and the median salary after one year of graduation are as follows:

Nursing: $92,481

Allied health: $79,891

Computer Engineering: $64,315

Civil Engineering: 63,949

Computer Science: $60,875


application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit official test scores

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit LORs

Submit personal essay

Submit English language proficiency scores

Check program specific requirements

CollegeDunia Reviews7.9/10 Read 16 reviews7.4/10 Read 9 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 94 for Computer Science by US News 2025
# 251 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 601 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
# 45 for Computer Science by US News 2025
# 101 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025
# 351 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 80/120IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -29980Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application dates-Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake)
Feb 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsBinghamton UniversityStony Brook University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1946
1957
Student:Faculty Ratio19:1
10:1
Male:Female51% Male, 49% Female46% Male, 54% Female
Location Facts

The main campus in Vestal is spread over 930 acres on a wooded hillside above the Susquehanna River; geographically, the Southern Tier of New York is located on Allegheny Plateau, a physiographic province of the Appalachian Mountains. Binghamton's nearly 15-acre new Health Sciences Campus is located in Johnson City, NY. The University Downtown Center (UDC), located near the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers, opened in 2007 and houses the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA). 


The main campus is in the historic north shore hamlet of Stony Brook near the geographic midpoint of Long Island, approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of Manhattan and 62 miles (100 km) west of Montauk. The university also has campuses in Manhattan and Southampton. 


Library

The Glenn G. Bartle Library contains collections in the humanities, social sciences, government documents and collections in mathematical and computer sciences. Additionally, Bartle Library houses the Fine Arts Collection and Special Collections.The Science Library contains materials in all science and engineering disciplines, as well as a map collection. The University Downtown Center (UDC) Library and Information Commons supports the departments of social work, human development, public administration, and student affairs administration.


Stony Brook University library subscribes to hundreds of publications, journals, and online databases such as Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, Web of Science, Ebscohost, IEEE Xplore, Project MUSE, ScienceDirect, and more. The library has rare book collection of more than 30,000 special, scarce, and unique titles dating from 1493 to the present.


Campus Life

 The Student Union houses many student organizations, a food co-op, The Marketplace food court, a number of meeting spaces, many new classrooms, the University Bookstore and a branch of Visions Federal Credit Union. The Events Center is one of the area's largest venue for athletics, concerts, fairs and more. Home court to the Binghamton Bearcats basketball teams, the facility seats about 5,300 people for games. For concerts, Commencement and other larger events, the Events Center can hold up to 8,000 people. In addition to the Events Center, the north end of campus houses the East and West Gyms, which host student recreation and varsity athletics programs. Residence halls at Binghamton are grouped into seven communities. The apartment communities used to house graduate students, but now house undergraduates. Bus transportation on campus and in local neighborhoods with a high density of students is provided by the student-owned and operated Off Campus College Transport (OCCT). OCCT is entirely student run and is free for all students. Student organizations at Binghamton are organized and run through the Student Association at Binghamton University. The Student Association provides a number of services and entertainment for students, including bus transportation and the annual Spring Fling festival. Binghamton University's Intercollegiate Athletics program is an NCAA Division I program. The Intercollegiate Athletics program comprises 21 sports that compete in the America East Conference for all sports except wrestling and golf. 


Stony Brook has a wide variety of student-run organizations on campus, which include sororities and fraternities, and a count of almost 300 recognized student clubs and organizations. The Undergraduate Student Government at Stony Brook University is trusted with the responsibility of budgeting the undergraduate student activity fee which funds most student run organizations on campus. The Graduate Student Organization is responsible for budgeting the graduate student activity fee, and supplies a variety of funding opportunities, programming, student services, and funding for departmental and student organizations. Incoming freshmen are welcomed to the university in August with First Night Out, a night of events taking place on the Friday in which they move in. Organized by Student Engagement and Activities, the night consists of a "Party on the Plaza" as well as various assorted activities.Wolfieland, an annual carnival, began in 2016 and takes place during September. Stony Brook University's intercollegiate athletics teams, known as the Stony Brook Seawolves, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level and are members of the Colonial Athletic Association. In 2013, Stony Brook University launched its own bike share system to provide a sustainable transportation alternative for students. 


Hostel#On campus - $14577
#Off campus (not with family) - $14577
#Off campus (with family) - $2195
#On campus - $13446
#Off campus (not with family) - $13999
#Off campus (with family) - $5336
Famous Alumni

Robyn Adele Anderson, founding member and primary vocalist for Postmodern Jukebox
Morteza Aghatehrani, Iranian politician, cleric, scholar, mujtahid
Peter Altabef, CEO of Unisys
Billy Baldwin, actor
David P. Barash, evolutionary biologist, Professor of Psychology at University of Washington and author of over 30 books
Andrew Bergman, screenwriter, author and director


Chris Algieri, professional boxer and former WBO junior welterweight title holder
Kim Barnes Arico, current head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women's basketball team 
Joy Behar, co-host of The View
Pat Benatar, musician, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee 
Mark Bridges, Academy Award-winning costume designer
Adrien Brody, youngest winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Pianist
Steve Cuozzo, journalist, contributor for the New York Post


City Life

While Binghamton may not be the biggest city, it has a great college atmosphere, and more than just students can attest to that. Binghamton was rated among the top 20 college towns in the U.S. by The American Institute for Economic Research and Business Insider, and was named one of the top 30 small college towns with a great quality of life by Best Choice Schools.Binghamton has a vaiety of unique restaurants and bars, making it a foodie’s dream. Twice a year the restaurants even team up during Restaurant Week to offer fixed price, three-course meals, with proceeds going to charity.  Downtown Binghamton is home to several restaurants, shops and academic buildings, making it the perfect place for students to study and relax. The area is also full of venues for students who are 21 and over, including pubs, breweries, dance clubs and hookah lounges. State Street is perfect for those who love the nightlife experience, and it's easily accessible by bus. New businesses are constantly sprouting up and flourishing in Binghamton. START-UP NY and the University’s Small Business Development Center help people start their own companies. The Small Business Development Center has helped clients raise $210 million in private and public funding and has helped create 11,000 jobs.


Stony Brook, NY is an attractive city northeast of New York City full of incredible sites such as Stony Brook University displaying its distinct landscape or Avalon Park great for recreational activities; visitors can also join in the magnificent Summer Arts Festival celebrating culture through arts and music every August.


Weather
Comparison Notes

Binghamton University vs Stony Brook University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both Stony Brook and Binghamton are members of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and are well known for their studies as well as research output. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Stony Brook is ranked around 452nd and Binghamton around 1001st. Based on the Center for World University Rankings 2025, Stony Brook is a little stronger at #215 than Binghamton at #713.

In subject rankings, Stony Brook leads in STEM areas, especially in Engineering, Medicine, and Computer Science, with rankings in the top 200–350 internationally. Binghamton is strong in Engineering and Business, albeit its subject rankings are overall less impressive, tending to be in the top 500–700. 

General Information

Stony Brook University is a public research university in Stony Brook, New York, which has a population of approximately 25,865 undergraduate students. It has an extensive range of programs in sciences, health, engineering, and liberal arts. Binghamton University, which is located in Vestal, New York, is a mid-sized public research university with about 18,456 undergraduates. It is famous for its extensive liberal arts base and increasing research reputation.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Admissions to both schools are competitive but less restrictive than Ivy League schools. Stony Brook accepts around 49% of applicants, with average SAT scores of 1320–1490. Binghamton is even more selective, with an acceptance rate of 37.7%, and identical SAT ranges. Both institutions are test-optional, and prospective students are considered holistically.

Research Impact & Facilities

Stony Brook is a member of the elite Association of American Universities (AAU) and maintains a major medical center and research hospital. It has large facilities for STEM research, with collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory. Binghamton has an expanding research infrastructure, especially in engineering, business, and public affairs, with a number of interdisciplinary centers and an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both schools have low in-state tuition and competitive out-of-state and international tuition rates:
Stony Brook: ~$7,070 in-state, ~$26,860 out-of-state
Binghamton: ~$7,070 in-state, ~$26,160 out-of-state
Room and board fees are similar, and both schools have merit-based and need-based aid available, though Stony Brook has a slightly greater percentage of students receiving grants.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Both school graduates have good success in the job market: Binghamton graduates have a median income of ~$64,500 ten years after graduation. Stony Brook graduates have a median income of ~$59,300. Leading employers are Amazon, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, and JPMorgan Chase for both institutions. Stony Brook's placement is stronger in healthcare and engineering, and Binghamton has stronger placement in business, public policy, and liberal arts.