Head-to-Head Comparison
Binghamton University vs Brown University
- Binghamton Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 13
- Brown Wins
- 29
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Binghamton University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 compared to Binghamton University's $21,620. Students who choose Binghamton University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,596 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Binghamton
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,620, roughly $3,564 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 5.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Binghamton University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Binghamton graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (21% of degrees); Brown in Social Sciences (25%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Brown University over Binghamton University. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $80,596.
Pick Binghamton University over Brown University. Net price $21,620 vs $25,184.
Pick Binghamton University over Brown University. 5.1% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over Binghamton University. 96% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Binghamton University and Brown University are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Binghamton University takes 39%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,415 to 1,546.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Binghamton University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,620, about $3,564 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $14,256 before any change in aid. Choosing Binghamton University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $80,596 at Binghamton University. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Binghamton University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 5.1%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 9.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Binghamton University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Binghamton University to keep costs and debt down; pick Brown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Binghamton University saves about $3,564 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $12,891 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Binghamton University posts the higher mobility rate, at 5.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Binghamton University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Brown University leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Binghamton University's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Binghamton University's enrollment of 14,655 far exceeds Brown University's 7,226.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,184 runs well above Binghamton University's $21,620.
- Business and consulting-track students: Brown University has less business program depth, and Binghamton University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Binghamton — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Binghamton, where only about 53% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Binghamton University
Vestal, NY · Public
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.
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Binghamton's top program is Biology (21% of enrollment), while Brown leads with Sociology (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Binghamton) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Binghamton University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Brown University concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Binghamton University or Brown University?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 39% at Binghamton University.
Which is more affordable, Binghamton University or Brown University?
Binghamton University is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,620 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Binghamton University or Brown University graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,596 at Binghamton University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Binghamton University or Brown University?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 83%.
Binghamton University vs Brown University: which is better for social mobility?
Binghamton University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 5.1% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Binghamton University or Brown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Binghamton University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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