Spotlight on Binghamton University

With the current economic climate, I've been focusing many of my spotlights on colleges and universities that are recognized as great values. In the new edition of Fiske's Guide to Colleges 2010, Binghamton University appears near the top of Fiske's "Best Buy Schools of 2010." For 2008-09, the total cost of Binghamton University was $17,646 for in-state students and $23,906 for out-of-state. That number for out-of-staters is particularly noteworthy, for many states really hike the price for students who aren't state residents (the University of California system, for example, raises tuition $20,000 for out-of-state students, essentially making a public university cost as much as top private colleges).

Fiske's designation of a "best buy" isn't about just price--it considers what you get for your money. Binghamton University is one of the strongest schools in the SUNY network, and it ranks highly among all public research universities in the country. The 6-year graduation rate is significantly above typical state universities, the school has a strong international focus, and it hosts a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences.

A word of caution: New York State has huge budgetary problems, so prospective students should keep a careful watch on Binghamton University's costs--SUNY funding is under attack by state legislators, and changes in tuition are likely.

Every week I spotlight a great college that might be off the radar of college applicants. If you'd like to recommend a school for a future spotlight, please do so here in the College Admissions forum. And if you're familiar with Binghamton University, please share your impressions below.

To learn more about Binghamton University, be sure to check out my Binghamton admissions profile and visit the school's official website.

Related Reading:

• Colleges Featured in the 2009 Spotlights
• Why Phi Beta Kappa Matters
• Comparison of SAT Scores for SUNY Campuses