Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Binghamton University logo

Binghamton University

#2 Best Biology Colleges in New York
Public Vestal, NY · Suburban · Mid-Atlantic · 100% data
A+ Social Mobility A Earnings A Selectivity
Graduation Rate
83% A-
Most students who enroll finish their degree here
Earnings (10yr)
$80,596 A
Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
Net Price
$21,620 D+
26% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
39% A
Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Earnings +98% vs avg
Graduation +45% vs avg
Net Price 26% vs avg
Mobility Top 2%

Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 26.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in New York.

26.7× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $26.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,218,843.

What The Data Says

  1. A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Graduates earn 98% more than the national college median.

  3. A 83% graduation rate — 45% above the national average.

  4. A top feeder school for 8 major employers.

  5. Social mobility rate of 5.09% — an engine of upward economic mobility.

Economic Footprint

Inventor Rate
0.6%
Top 36%
Patents
56
Linked to graduates
Employer Pipelines
8
Top feeder programs
Patent Citations
127
Downstream influence

Why Binghamton University Matters

Binghamton University is a public research university in Vestal, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public Research University
Carnegie Class
R1 · Very High Research
Enrollment
14,655
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology

Why students choose Binghamton University

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Top-tier research university
R1 status: undergraduates work alongside leading researchers
Influential alumni network
High cross-class social capital and reach
Exceptional earning outcomes
Graduate earnings in the top 4% of colleges
Engine of upward mobility
A strong record of moving students up the income ladder

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B
Top 21% overall
A
Earnings
$80,596 median
B
Value
3.7× net price
D+
Affordability
$21,620/yr net
A-
Graduation
83% graduate
A+
Social Mobility
5.1% climb Q1→Q5
A
Selectivity
39% admit rate
B
Diversity
0.68 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Selective
39% admit rate

Selective — admits about 39% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1340–1500. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

D+
$21,620/yr net

Students pay about $21,620 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

A
$80,596 median

Graduates earn a median of $80,596 ten years after enrolling — 98% above the typical college, against $18,500 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

A+
5.1% climb

Moves 5.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 2% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).

See mobility →

Overview

With an enrollment of over 14,600 students, Binghamton University in Vestal, New York, caters particularly well to those interested in fields like Biology, Business, Psychology, and Engineering. The acceptance rate of 39% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but for many students, the supportive environment and high graduation rate of 83% make it an appealing choice. It's a place where driven individuals can find their path and thrive academically.

Looking ahead to life after graduation, Binghamton graduates earn an impressive average of $80,596 within ten years of leaving school. This strong earning potential reflects the value of the education here, especially in high-demand fields. The affordability also stands out, with a net price of $21,620 and a median debt of $18,500, which is manageable for many students. About 28% of the student body receives Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it.

When considering the overall financial picture, Binghamton University positions itself as a reasonable option for students seeking a solid education without overwhelming debt. The combination of an affordable net price and a relatively low median debt means that graduates can focus on their careers rather than struggling with loans. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who value academic rigor and are motivated to make the most of their college experience, setting themselves up for success in their future endeavors.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Binghamton University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Binghamton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Vestal, New York, Binghamton University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,415. The graduation rate is roughly 83%.

Acceptance Rate
39%
Retention Rate
89%
SAT Average
1415
ACT Midpoint
32
SAT Range
1340–1500
ACT Range
30–32
Full-Time Faculty
79%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$11,086
Student–Faculty Ratio
19:1
Diversity Index
0.68
First-Gen Students
25%
Applicants
41,642
Admitted
17,384

Inside the Admissions Office

School-reported Common Data Set · unknown

The acceptance rate tells you how hard Binghamton University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 15% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.

Yield Rate
15%
of admits enroll
Submitted SAT
44%
of enrolled freshmen
Submitted ACT
9%
of enrolled freshmen

Test-optional, in practice. Only about 53% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.

Source: Binghamton University's Common Data Set, unknown View the source document on collegedata.fyi →

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Binghamton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Binghamton University is $30,447, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,620. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,171 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$10,567
Out-of-State
$30,447
Avg Net Price
$21,620
Median Debt
$18,500
Pell Grant Rate
28%
Federal Loan Rate
39%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$12,171
Family Income $30K–$48K
$15,281
Family Income $48K–$75K
$20,347
Family Income $110K+
$28,475

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Binghamton University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Binghamton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Binghamton University earn a median of $80,596, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

6 Years After Entry
$61,621
8 Years
$73,402
10 Years
$80,596
Debt-to-Earnings
0.23x
Earning > $25K
75%

Earnings Trajectory

$61,621 6yr $73,402 8yr $80,596 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1,822)
72%
100% (1,822)
72%
100% (1,822)
72%
100% (1,822)
72%

Where Grads Go

Binghamton University is a top feeder for:

Rank among programs feeding each employer.

Top employers of Binghamton University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.

Explore the Career Destination Guide → Source: Binghamton University — Full-Time MBA Employment Report (Class of 2025)

How Binghamton Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation83%Earnings 10yr$81KNet Price$22KRetention89%Median Debt$19KPell Grant Rate28%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$15K$30-48K$20K$48-75K$28K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%9.4%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%54.0%MOBILITY5.09%

College ROI Calculator

Is Binghamton University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Binghamton University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,620/year ($86,480 total). Graduates earn $80,596 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,305,323 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,218,843 (26.7× your investment). The median debt is $18,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 83% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$86,480
Projected 20yr Earnings
$2,305,323
Net Return
$2,218,843
ROI Multiple
26.7×
Cost Per Year
$21,620
Median Debt
$18,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
83%
Explore all Binghamton University ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does Binghamton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Binghamton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 5.09%, among the highest in the country. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 54% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
5.09%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
54.0%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
9.4%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$141,843
today's $ (2015 cohort data)

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

How Connected Is Binghamton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Binghamton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Economic Connectedness
1.78
Cross-class friendships
Friending Bias
0.02
Lower = more inclusive
Volunteering Rate
7.0%
Support Ratio
0.99
Community support

Research Note

267%
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=1,503). Quartile comparison of mean bottom-quintile success rate, split by economic connectedness (Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas × Mobility Report Card).

Innovation & Knowledge Creation

Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education

Binghamton University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 56 patents tied to its graduates.

Inventor Rate
0.63%
Top 36% nationally
Patents Produced
56
Linked to graduates
Patent Citations
127
Downstream influence
Inventors From Low-Income
0.23%
Bottom-20% families

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$1,365,641

Top Programs

The fields Binghamton University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Binghamton University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Binghamton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Vestal, New York, Binghamton University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 39%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,415. The graduation rate is roughly 83%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Binghamton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Binghamton University is $30,447, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,620. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,171 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,500 in federal student loans.

Is Binghamton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Binghamton University earn a median of $80,596, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.

Does Binghamton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Binghamton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 5.09%, among the highest in the country. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 54% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

How Connected Is Binghamton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Binghamton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Is Binghamton University really test-optional?

In practice, yes. Only about 53% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Binghamton University (unknown Common Data Set).

What percentage of admitted students enroll at Binghamton University?

About 15% of admitted students choose to enroll at Binghamton University — its yield rate (unknown Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.

Compare Binghamton University

Show all 100 comparisons →

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Binghamton University.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Download the report Explore the live data →

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys