Stony Brook University has been recognized by Forbes and Statista as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2025. The recognition is based on a survey of more than 160,000 employees working at companies with at least 500 U.S.-based workers.
The award highlights organizations that are successful employers at both regional and statewide levels. It also acknowledges their commitment to creating an environment where employees can thrive.
“Being named one of America’s Best-in-State Employers is an incredible honor that reflects the strength of our people and the culture we’ve built together,” said Interim Vice President for Human Resources Jennifer Donnelly. “Attracting and retaining top talent means fostering a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired — and that’s exactly what we strive for every day.”
Jed M. Shivers, Stony Brook’s senior vice president for finance and administration, added: “Being named a best-in-state employer is a direct reflection of each and every person who makes up the Stony Brook community. I came here because I was attracted by Stony Brook’s long history of transforming the lives of its students (many of whom are first generation and/or Pell eligible) and helping them contribute to our region and our state. There’s a tangible sense of purpose here, and you can see it in the work of our faculty, staff, and students every single day. Their commitment is the engine powering all of our successes, from groundbreaking research and top-tier rankings for academic programs and Stony Brook University Hospital, to our focus on catalyzing research and its practical application and becoming an economic hub for our region. This award is a testament to the community we continue to build together.”
Stony Brook supports its employees through various initiatives such as Employee Appreciation Day, wellness fairs, fitness classes, runs, wellness programs under Healthier U, employee engagement surveys like Be Heard, as well as professional development resources including LinkedIn Learning launching this fall.
Among New York State universities included in this year’s list—only five made it—Stony Brook ranked #81 overall in New York. The university placed ahead of Adelphi University, Cornell University, and University at Buffalo.
The survey asked respondents how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale from zero to ten. They also evaluated workplaces based on wage parity, work culture, advancement opportunities, and whether employers address serious issues such as sexual harassment.
A change in methodology this year involved using data collected over three years instead of just one. This approach allows better differentiation between organizations with consistent performance versus those with only one strong year.
In total, 1,417 companies appeared on at least one state list out of a combined 2,500 rankings nationwide.
The full list can be found at https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/.
