Stony Brook University (SBU) is a public research university and SUNY (State University of New York) system member situated on Long Island, New York. It has approximately 26,000 students. Admissions are moderately selective with an acceptance rate of 49%. SBU is strongest in STEM-related fields, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics, Health Sciences, and Marine Sciences. Its 6-year graduation rate is 76%, and graduates have a median 10-year salary of INR 66,50,000 ($80,000).
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State – University Park), Big Ten Academic Alliance member.It is much larger, with approximately 90,000 students system-wide (and ~47,000 at University Park alone). Admissions are moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 54%. Penn State has wide-ranging academic strengths, with extremely well-ranked programs in Engineering, Business, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Communication. Its 6-year graduation rate is ~87%, while graduates earn a median 10-year salary of INR 70,00,000 ( $84,000).
| Stony Brook University | Pennsylvania State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.1 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 301 Times Higher Education 2026 # 452 QS World University 2026 # 215 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 82 QS World University 2026 # 108 Times Higher Education 2026 # 57 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 201 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 31 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 118 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -38 | UG Programs -163 PG Programs -116 |
| Acceptance Rate | 49.0 % | 54.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-1210 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1160 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 24740 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28890 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32781 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 35984 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 38198 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 26664 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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 | PhD: $150,0000- $158,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit LORs Submit personal essay Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements | Submit Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) along with application, SAT/ACT scores are also accepted as language proficiency proof. You may have to fulfill additional requriements as per the program. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 18 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 68 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 92 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 | GMAT - 660/800IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -47940 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Stony Brook University | Pennsylvania State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1957 | 1855 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 15:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 54% Female | 65% Male, 35% Female |
| Location Facts | 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. | It has 24 campuses located throughout the state allowing students to explore the city while learning. University Park area is situated in located in State College and College township is located in Center Country. |
| Library | 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. | Titles held: 7,240,616 |
| Campus Life | 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. | Engage in varsity athletics, 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, intramural clubs, Center for Spiritual and ethical development, LGBTQ resource center. |
| Hostel | #On campus - $13446 #Off campus (not with family) - $13999 #Off campus (with family) - $5336 | #On campus - $11280 #Off campus (not with family) - $11280 #Off campus (with family) - $4104 |
| Famous Alumni | Chris Algieri, professional boxer and former WBO junior welterweight title holder | Saquon Barkley (American Footballer), Adam Huber (Actor), Jerry Sandusky (football coach- America), Dan Bongino (American commentator), Safaa Al- Hashim (politician), Bo Nickal (Freestyle Wrestler). Alumni are famously called Nittany Lions. |
| City Life | 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. | State College, Pennsylvania is the largest borough area. Downtown Improvement District and University Park are two major sections in State College. The neighborhood has Orchard Parks, West End, College Heights, South State College, and more. Penn State University is the largest employer followed by Mount Nittany Medical Center. You can enjoy art fests, dance night marathons, and more. |
| Weather |
Stony Brook University vs New York University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Penn State is higher globally, ranked at 82 in QS and 100 in Times Higher Education, an indicator of its overall academic prowess and worldwide reputation. Stony Brook University is ranked at 452 in QS and 251 - 300 in Times Higher Education, with specific strengths in STEM and health science. On a discipline basis, Stony Brook is particularly strong in physics, computer science, engineering, and medicine. Penn State is well-balanced in a broad array of fields—engineering, business, agriculture, health, and social sciences.
General Information
Stony Brook University is a flagship public research university on Long Island in the state of New York, with approximately 26,000 students. It is a member of the SUNY system and known for STEM and medical research focus. Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, is among the largest public universities in America, with over 88,000 students on several campuses. Being a land-grant and flagship institution, it provides a diverse range of academic programs and has considerable national presence in academics and athletics.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Stony Brook admissions boast an acceptance rate of approximately 49%, thus being moderately selective. Admissions are particularly competitive for computer science, engineering, and pre-med majors. Penn State's acceptance rate is about 54% at its flagship University Park campus, although admission is more competitive for schools like engineering, business, and honors.
Research Impact & Facilities
Stony Brook is an R1 research institution with special strengths in STEM, medicine, and physics, exemplified by its co-management of Brookhaven National Laboratory. It also has a first-rate medical school and hospital. Penn State is also R1 and has a much wider research footprint, with significant investments in engineering, agriculture, business, health, and energy research. It is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and is one of the top U.S. universities in research expenditures.
Cost & Financial Aid
Stony Brook, being a SUNY school, is very economical: in-state tuition is roughly $11,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition is approximately $31,000. Penn State's in-state tuition is somewhat more, at around $19,000, with out-of-state rates around $39,000. Both schools provide financial aid, but Stony Brook tends to be cheaper, particularly for New York state residents.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Stony Brook graduates are strong in STEM, healthcare, and research professions, with good connections to New York City's healthcare and tech industries. Its graduates also tend to go on to pursue higher degrees in science and health. Penn State boasts a huge alumni pool (one of the world's largest) and has career opportunities in all areas of business, engineering, education, and public service. Its powerful alumni networks, especially in business and engineering, and a nationally acclaimed sports culture create broad professional pipelines
