Stony Brook vs UW-Madison

Stony Brook University and University of Wisconsin-Madison, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct academic experiences and opportunities. Stony Brook, located on Long Island, New York, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on research, while University of Wisconsin-Madison, situated in the vibrant city of Madison, Wisconsin, is renowned for its Big Ten athletics and robust liberal arts programs. With Stony Brook's acceptance rate hovering around 44% and University of Wisconsin-Madison's at 52%, both universities offer competitive admissions. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Stony Brook University	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	Stony Brook, New York	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	89.0%	95.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.1%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $100	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1300 - 1480	1320 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 33	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	37.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	38,826	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	18,659	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,416	8,465
Yield rate	18.3%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,187 Out of state: $52,107	In state: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$16,445	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $24,990	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,908 Meal plan: $5,590	Room/dormitory: $7,367 Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	73.0% Average amount $10,370	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	37.0% Average amount $4,942	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,080	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	17,999 Men 48.9% Women 51.1%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	8,609 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	11.3%	50.6%
International students	13.3%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,420	9,226
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Education Business	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	77.7%	89.2%
Dropout rate	7.8%	10.0%
Transferred out	13.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,469 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $132,337 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $62,815 Year 2: $72,320 Year 3: $117,786 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $112,109 Year 2: $101,964 Year 3: $110,440 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,682 Year 2: $105,661 Year 3: $107,071 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,837 Year 2: $76,170 Year 3: $96,347 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,511 Year 2: $85,898 Year 3: $90,858 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,326 Year 2: $69,577 Year 3: $80,624 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $70,272 Year 2: $73,606 Year 3: $78,333 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,983 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $77,989 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,148 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $77,613	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $131,458 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,083 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $130,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,390 Year 2: $113,091 Year 3: $124,360 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $96,320 Year 2: $117,042 Year 3: $123,777 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,338 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $111,424 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $104,219 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,387 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $103,937 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,839 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $97,306 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $94,093 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,730 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $91,306

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Stony Brook University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Stony Brook University is located on Long Island, New York, offering a suburban environment with proximity to New York City. This provides easy access to cultural attractions, internships, and job opportunities. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is situated in Madison, Wisconsin, a vibrant city known for its progressive atmosphere and strong sense of community. The UW-Madison campus is integrated into the city, offering a lively urban feel with access to the State Capitol, lakes, and outdoor recreation.
How do the academic programs compare at Stony Brook University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Both universities are highly regarded research institutions with a wide range of academic programs. UW-Madison is particularly strong in areas like engineering, business, and the humanities, boasting nationally recognized programs. Stony Brook University excels in STEM fields, including medicine, engineering, and computer science, and also has strong programs in the arts and humanities. The specific strengths of each program should be considered based on your individual academic interests.
What is the cost of attendance like at Stony Brook University versus the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Generally, the cost of attendance at Stony Brook University is lower than at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, especially for in-state students. However, tuition and fees can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state), the specific program of study, and living expenses. It's recommended to check the official university websites for the most up-to-date and detailed cost information, including potential financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
How does the student life and campus culture differ between Stony Brook University and UW-Madison?

UW-Madison is known for its vibrant and active campus culture, with a strong emphasis on school spirit, traditions, and a lively social scene. The campus is very involved in the city of Madison. Stony Brook University offers a more diverse student body and a more commuter-friendly campus, with a focus on academic pursuits and research. Both universities offer a wide array of student organizations, clubs, and activities, but the overall feel of the campus environment differs significantly.
What are the research opportunities like at Stony Brook University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Both universities are leading research institutions, providing ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research. UW-Madison has a long history of groundbreaking research across various disciplines, with extensive research facilities and funding. Stony Brook University also has a strong research focus, particularly in STEM fields, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory. The specific research opportunities available will depend on your chosen field of study.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare at Stony Brook University and UW-Madison?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services to assist students with career planning, internships, and job placement. UW-Madison benefits from its strong alumni network and connections to industries in the Midwest and beyond. Stony Brook University, with its proximity to New York City, provides access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various sectors. Both universities have good job placement rates, and the specific outcomes will depend on your major, skills, and career goals.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity like at Stony Brook University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Both universities are selective, but the admission requirements and selectivity levels may differ slightly. UW-Madison generally has a slightly higher selectivity rate than Stony Brook University. Admission requirements typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. It's essential to review the specific admission requirements for each university on their respective websites, as they can change from year to year.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific field, such as engineering or pre-med?

Both universities have strong programs in various fields. For engineering, both are excellent choices, but UW-Madison has a particularly well-regarded engineering school. For pre-med, both offer strong programs, but Stony Brook's proximity to medical facilities and its own medical school can be advantageous. The best choice depends on the specific program, faculty, research opportunities, and your personal preferences. Research the specific departments and programs within each university to determine the best fit for your academic goals.
How does the diversity of the student body compare at Stony Brook University and UW-Madison?

Stony Brook University is known for its diverse student body, reflecting the multicultural population of Long Island and the New York metropolitan area. UW-Madison also has a diverse student body, though the demographic makeup may differ. Both universities are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all students. Reviewing the university's diversity statistics and initiatives can provide a better understanding of the campus climate.
What are the housing options like at Stony Brook University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and suites. UW-Madison has a large residential community integrated into the campus and city. Stony Brook University also has a range of on-campus housing options, with some options being more geared towards upperclassmen. The availability and cost of housing can vary, so it's important to research the specific housing options and application processes for each university.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Stony Brook

University of Arizona