Williams vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, MA with Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Williams vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams or SUNY Stony Brook? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Williams College than SUNY Stony Brook ($15,894 vs. $20,992).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 5.1% lower than at Stony Brook University ($17,260 vs. $18,196).
• Williams College is 527.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $57,629 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $10,931.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.4% higher at Williams than at Stony Brook University (about $35,819 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $32,741.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Williams College (98% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 642.8% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($68,966 vs. $9,285).

Williams vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams or SUNY Stony Brook? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY Stony Brook and Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 110 points higher than at SUNY Stony Brook (1420).
• Incoming Williams students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at SUNY Stony Brook).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 1490/1570; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Stony Brook University 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have the same average high school GPA (3.94) as students at SUNY Stony Brook (3.94).
• SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Williams vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams and SUNY Stony Brook? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Stony Brook University's (67%).
• Graduates from Williams College earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,600 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $4,418 lower median loan debt than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($14,582 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Stony Brook graduates ($150 vs. $196).
• More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.