Stony Brook Acceptance Rate

The State University of New York at Stony Brook, commonly known as Stony Brook University, is a highly regarded public research institution with a competitive admissions process. For the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2028), Stony Brook reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 49.1%, reflecting a selective yet accessible admissions landscape. This rate is influenced by a growing applicant pool, driven by the university’s strong academic programs in STEM and health sciences, as well as its proximity to New York City. While Stony Brook publishes some admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, detailed breakdowns for specific categories can sometimes be limited, requiring reliance on historical trends for deeper insights.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 49.1% for the Class of 2028, with approximately 40,000 applicants and around 19,600 admitted students, consistent with recent years.
• Early Action/Decision Rate: Data unavailable for the most recent cycle; historically, early applicants may see a slightly higher acceptance rate, estimated at 50-55%, due to smaller, self-selecting pools.
• International Student Rate: Specific data unavailable; based on historical trends, the rate is estimated at 25-30%, reflecting additional scrutiny of academic and language requirements.

Over the past decade, Stony Brook’s acceptance rate has remained relatively stable, hovering around 40-50%, though competitiveness has increased slightly due to rising application numbers. The university’s lack of an Early Decision option means less variation between application rounds compared to peers with binding early programs. International admissions have grown more competitive as Stony Brook attracts a diverse global applicant pool, particularly in engineering and sciences. Compared to other SUNY campuses like Binghamton (acceptance rate ~40%) or peer public universities like the University of Massachusetts Amherst (~60%), Stony Brook maintains a moderately selective profile. Prospective students are encouraged to leverage resources like the Common Data Set for historical context and to apply early if possible to maximize their chances in this increasingly competitive environment.