Head-to-Head Comparison
Binghamton University vs Colby College
- Binghamton Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 11
- Colby Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Colby College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,180 vs Binghamton University's $21,620, Colby College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Colby College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,490 at ten years.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Binghamton
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $80,596 ten years after enrollment, 0% more than Colby College
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 5.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Colby
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,180, roughly $4,440 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 7% 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); Colby in Social Sciences (28%). 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 Binghamton University over Colby College. Median earnings of $80,596 ten years after enrollment vs $80,490.
Pick Colby College over Binghamton University. Net price $17,180 vs $21,620.
Pick Binghamton University over Colby College. 5.1% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Colby College over Binghamton University. 89% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Binghamton University and Colby College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Colby College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Binghamton University takes 39%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,415 to 1,501.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colby College 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, Colby College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,180, about $4,440 a year below Binghamton University's $21,620. Graduates of Binghamton University also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,157.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $17,760 before any change in aid. Choosing Colby College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Binghamton University graduates report median earnings of $80,596, compared with $80,490 at Colby College. That is a 0% advantage. Set against borrowing, Binghamton University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 0% 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
Colby College graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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 Colby College, it is 0.9%. Binghamton University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 9.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.5%.
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 Colby College to keep costs and debt down; pick Binghamton 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. Colby College saves about $4,440 a year, yet Binghamton University graduates earn $106 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Colby College is harder to get into, with a 7% 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 Colby College leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,620 runs well above Colby College's $17,180.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Binghamton University's enrollment of 14,655 far exceeds Colby College's 2,407.
- Business and consulting-track students: Colby College has less business program depth, and Binghamton University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Binghamton offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Colby does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
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.
Colby College
Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Colby College is tailored for students who thrive in a highly selective environment and are eager to dive into topics like Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology, and Computer Science. It’s a small community of about 2,407 students, making it easier to form close connections with peers and professors alike. Those who choose Colby are often passionate about their fields and want to engage deeply in their studies.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni report impressive earnings, with a 10-year median income of $80,490. This suggests that a Colby education can lead to solid financial outcomes, helping graduates secure well-paying jobs. The affordability factor is also notable; with a net price of $17,180, many students find that they can graduate without being burdened by excessive debt, as the median debt sits at $19,157. This balance helps foster mobility for those who want to move up in their careers.
The numbers tell a clear story: Colby is not just about getting a degree but about setting up students for success in the real world. While 14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that support is available for those who need it, the overall environment tends to attract highly motivated individuals. Those who thrive here share a commitment to their studies and benefit from both a strong academic foundation and a supportive community.
Rankings They Appear On
Binghamton University is featured on the Best Biology Colleges in New York ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Binghamton's top program is Biology (21% of enrollment), while Colby leads with Sociology (28%).
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 Colby).
The two schools feed different job markets. Binghamton University is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Colby College concentrates in Computer Science & IT. 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 Colby College?
Colby College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 39% at Binghamton University.
Which is more affordable, Binghamton University or Colby College?
Colby College is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,180 after aid versus $21,620 at Binghamton University.
Do Binghamton University or Colby College graduates earn more?
Binghamton University graduates earn more: median earnings of $80,596 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,490 at Colby College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Binghamton University or Colby College?
Colby College has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 83%.
Binghamton University vs Colby College: which is better for social mobility?
Binghamton University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 5.1% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Binghamton University or Colby College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Colby College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Binghamton 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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