Is UMass Amherst or Stony Brook generally harder to get into for undergraduate admission?

The main practical difference is that Stony Brook is typically more selective overall, while UMass Amherst can become equally difficult, or harder, in certain high-demand programs such as computer science and some engineering pathways. Stony Brook’s applicant pool is especially strong in STEM, and admission expectations can be higher for students applying to its most sought-after technical majors. UMass Amherst has a broader range of selectivity across colleges and majors, so the program you choose matters substantially.

For either school, New York or Massachusetts residency can affect the context of admission and cost, although residency does not make admission automatic. Strong grades in rigorous courses, particularly math and science for STEM applicants, remain central at both institutions. A student applying to a less capacity-constrained UMass program may face a different level of competition than one applying directly to UMass computer science.

For a broad, schoolwide comparison, treat Stony Brook as the somewhat tougher admit. That does not mean UMass Amherst is a safety: it is a selective public university, and competitive majors can change the comparison. Apply to both if they fit your academic and financial priorities, and judge your chances against the expectations for your intended major rather than the university-wide label alone.