Stony Brook University vs Fashion Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Fashion Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $38,190 in 2.7 years versus 2.9 years at Stony Brook University, on median earnings of $62,696 vs $74,502 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stony Brook University | Fashion Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,784 | $19,095 |
| Total net cost | $75,136 | $38,190 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,502 | $62,696 |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | 2.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $447,704 | $248,530 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stony Brook University or Fashion Institute of Technology?
Stony Brook University, at $18,784 a year after aid versus $19,095 — a gap of $311 a year, or $36,946 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stony Brook University or Fashion Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Stony Brook University graduates report a median $74,502 ten years after entry, $11,806 more than the $62,696 at Fashion Institute of Technology. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Stony Brook University or Fashion Institute of Technology?
Fashion Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $18,228 at Stony Brook University, a difference of $6,228. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Fashion Institute of Technology, against 76% at Stony Brook University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.