At $18,430/yr net price, Stony Brook University graduates earn $74,502/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $40,502/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,430 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,720 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,502/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$40,502/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,228 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,744/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,813/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,446/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,158/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,994/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $140,448 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $115,339 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $114,892 | $80,222 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $105,661 | $29,728 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $101,964 | $27,849 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $85,898 | $15,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $82,756 | $18,735 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $17,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $76,170 | $16,250 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,606 | $127,784 |
The Risk Factor
77.8% of students at Stony Brook University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 22% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Stony Brook gives you a solid financial return. Median earnings of $74,502 ten years out against a median debt of $18,228 means most graduates carry debt worth roughly three months of pay. Add a 77.8% grad rate and an 88.69% retention rate, and the odds of finishing and paying it back are in your favor.
The health and tech majors are where the money is. Nursing tops the list at $85,898 with only $15,000 in debt, and allied health and medical lab science both clear $76,000. That tracks with the Long Island and New York City healthcare market feeding jobs to these graduates. Computer science pays $76,170 on similar debt. Computer engineering is the weaker of the tech pair at $67,101 with the highest debt in the top five, $19,750, so you earn less and borrow more than the CS route.
The risk here is that the listed high-payoff programs are concentrated in nursing, allied health, and computing. If you enroll planning to major in one of these and don't get in or switch out, your outcome could land well below the school's median. No salary data is listed for the humanities or social science paths, so treat those as unknowns.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $12,744. over $110k, you pay $26,994, more than double. The jump is steepest between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets. If your family earns over $110k, run the full-pay math against the earnings for your specific major before committing.
Stony Brook is a strong fit if you want nursing, allied health, or computer science and qualify for need-based pricing. If you're full-pay and undecided or headed toward a program with no listed earnings, weigh a cheaper option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stony Brook University worth the money?
Stony Brook offers solid value with a net price of $18,430 and median earnings of $74,502 ten years after graduation. The relatively low debt burden of $18,228 makes it financially reasonable for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Stony Brook University?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Stony Brook, with some tracks reaching $140,448 annually. Allied health and educational administration also perform well, typically earning over $100,000.
How much debt do Stony Brook University graduates have?
Stony Brook graduates carry a median debt of $18,228, which is manageable given the school's earning outcomes. This debt level is below many comparable institutions.
Does Stony Brook University have good job outcomes?
With a 78% graduation rate and median earnings of $74,502, Stony Brook produces decent employment results. Health sciences and education majors see the strongest financial returns.