Stony Brook vs Virginia Tech

Stony Brook University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) are two highly regarded public research universities with distinct characteristics. Stony Brook, located on Long Island, New York, offers a diverse range of academic programs, including a strong focus on health sciences and engineering. Virginia Tech, situated in Blacksburg, Virginia, is known for its strengths in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. While both universities share similarities in terms of academic excellence and research opportunities, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Stony Brook University	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Stony Brook, New York	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
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%	92.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.1%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $100	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1300 - 1480	1210 - 1410
ACT range	29 - 33	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	37.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	38,826	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	18,659	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,416	6,758
Yield rate	18.3%	28.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not 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: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$16,445	$20,109
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $24,990	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,908 Meal plan: $5,590	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	73.0% Average amount $10,370	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	37.0% Average amount $4,942	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,080	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	17,999 Men 48.9% Women 51.1%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	8,609 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	11.3%	39.5%
International students	13.3%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	10,420	9,471
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	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Education Business	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	77.7%	86.6%
Dropout rate	7.8%	12.3%
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,287 Year 2: $113,246 Year 3: $125,427 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,383 Year 2: $96,691 Year 3: $106,931 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,448 Year 2: $88,678 Year 3: $96,747 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $76,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,580 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,104 Year 2: $78,488 Year 3: $90,164 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,370 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $87,658 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $81,573 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $84,990 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,460 Year 2: $73,635 Year 3: $83,712 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,805 Year 2: $73,272 Year 3: $82,738 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,610 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $81,822

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Stony Brook University and Virginia Tech?

Stony Brook University (SBU) is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, known for its strong programs in STEM, particularly in medicine and engineering. It's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Virginia Tech (VT), officially Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is a public land-grant university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It's renowned for its engineering, agriculture, architecture, and business programs. SBU is generally considered to be located in a more urban/suburban environment with closer proximity to New York City, while VT offers a more traditional college town experience.
Which university is better known for its engineering programs?

Both Stony Brook and Virginia Tech have excellent engineering programs, but Virginia Tech is generally considered to have a stronger and more nationally recognized engineering program overall. Virginia Tech's College of Engineering is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the nation, with a wider range of specialized programs and research opportunities. Stony Brook's engineering programs are also strong, particularly in areas like computer science and electrical engineering, but VT has a broader reputation in the field.
How do the tuition costs compare between Stony Brook and Virginia Tech?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency. Generally, for in-state students, Stony Brook University will have a lower tuition cost than Virginia Tech. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition costs are more comparable, with Virginia Tech potentially being slightly higher. It's essential to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's official website for the most accurate information, as these costs can change annually.
What is the campus environment like at Stony Brook versus Virginia Tech?

Stony Brook University offers a more suburban campus environment with easy access to New York City. The campus is diverse and has a strong focus on academics and research. Virginia Tech provides a more traditional college town experience in Blacksburg, Virginia. The campus is known for its strong sense of community, Hokie spirit, and beautiful natural surroundings. VT's campus is more self-contained, while SBU offers more immediate access to a major metropolitan area.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both Stony Brook University and Virginia Tech are major research universities with significant research funding and activity. Stony Brook is particularly strong in areas like medicine, physics, and materials science, benefiting from its proximity to Brookhaven National Laboratory. Virginia Tech excels in engineering, agriculture, and technology-related research. Both institutions offer numerous research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
How do the acceptance rates compare between Stony Brook and Virginia Tech?

Acceptance rates can fluctuate, but generally, Stony Brook University tends to have a slightly higher acceptance rate than Virginia Tech, making it potentially somewhat less selective. However, both are considered competitive universities, and admission depends on a strong academic record, standardized test scores (if required), and a compelling application.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At Stony Brook University, popular majors include Biology, Computer Science, Engineering (various disciplines), Health Sciences, and Business. At Virginia Tech, popular majors include Engineering (especially Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil), Business, Computer Science, Agriculture, and Architecture.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Stony Brook and Virginia Tech offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Stony Brook benefits from its proximity to New York City, providing access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various industries. Virginia Tech has strong connections with companies in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, particularly in engineering and technology. Both universities actively work to connect students with relevant internship and career opportunities.
What is the student life like at Stony Brook versus Virginia Tech?

Stony Brook University has a diverse student body and offers a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. Student life is influenced by its proximity to New York City, offering opportunities for cultural experiences and entertainment. Virginia Tech is known for its strong sense of community and Hokie spirit. Student life revolves around campus events, sports, and a vibrant Greek life. VT offers a more traditional college experience, while SBU provides a blend of campus life and access to a major metropolitan area.
Which university is better for pre-med students?

Both Stony Brook University and Virginia Tech offer strong pre-med programs. Stony Brook University has a medical school on campus, which can provide valuable research and clinical opportunities for pre-med students. Virginia Tech also has strong science programs and partnerships with medical facilities. The 'better' choice depends on individual preferences and specific program offerings. Students should research the pre-med advising, research opportunities, and clinical experiences available at each institution.

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