Stony Brook University has been named one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2025 by Forbes, in partnership with Statista. The recognition is based on feedback from more than 160,000 employees working at companies with at least 500 U.S.-based workers.
The America’s Best-in-State Employers list, now in its seventh year, recognizes organizations that have demonstrated success as employers both regionally and statewide. The selection process considers a company’s 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, senior vice president for finance and administration at Stony Brook, 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.”
The university supports its employees through various initiatives such as Employee Appreciation Day, wellness fairs like Be Well, Work Well Employee Benefits and Wellness Fair, fitness classes, 5K runs, Healthier U wellness programs, employee engagement surveys such as Be Heard launched earlier this year, and upcoming resources like LinkedIn Learning.
Among universities in New York State included in this year’s ranking, Stony Brook was one of only five institutions listed. It ranked #81 overall in New York State—placing ahead of Adelphi University, Cornell University, and University at Buffalo.
Employees participating in the survey were asked about their likelihood to recommend their employer as well as questions related to wage parity, workplace culture, professional advancement opportunities, and how employers address serious issues such as sexual harassment.
This year’s methodology included data collected over three years rather than just one (“three-year look back”), allowing for more robust differentiation between consistently high-performing organizations versus those with only isolated strong years.
A total of 1,417 companies were recognized on at least one state list nationwide; combined rankings totaled 2,500 across all states.
The full list can be found at Forbes’ website: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/.
