University at Buffalo vs Stony Brook University: which has better ROI?
Stony Brook University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,136 in 2.9 years versus 3.7 years at University at Buffalo, on median earnings of $74,502 vs $70,814 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Buffalo | Stony Brook University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,995 | $18,784 |
| Total net cost | $83,980 | $75,136 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $70,814 | $74,502 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $18,228 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $365,100 | $447,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Buffalo or Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University, at $18,784 a year after aid versus $20,995 — a gap of $2,211 a year, or $8,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University at Buffalo or Stony Brook University graduates earn more?
Stony Brook University graduates report a median $74,502 ten years after entry, $3,688 more than the $70,814 at University at Buffalo. 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, University at Buffalo or Stony Brook University?
Stony Brook University: its completers carry a median $18,228 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University at Buffalo, a difference of $772. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Stony Brook University, against 75% at University at Buffalo. 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.