Binghamton continues to rise in national college rankings

Binghamton University’s quality and value have once again been recognized by some of the country’s leading publications during this season’s unveiling of annual college rankings and guidebooks.

Binghamton’s most recent recognition comes from U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the University 31st among public universities and colleges, and 79th among all public and private universities in its 2020 listing of “America’s Best Colleges.” Binghamton also moved up 10 slots, from 62 to 52, on the publication’s “Best Value Colleges” list. Based on a range of excellence indicators, the U.S. News & World Report rankings measure social mobility, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, Pell graduations, financial resources, alumni giving and “graduation rate performance.” See the Binghamton overview online.

“We have much to be proud of. Binghamton University has a growing reputation for academics, research and scholarship, and these rankings are proof that our students — whether at the bachelor’s, master’s or PhD levels — are taking advantage of so many opportunities,” said President Harvey Stenger. “That, combined with a committed group of faculty, staff and alumni, means that we believe we’ll see Binghamton rising in the rankings in the coming years.”

Different agencies evaluate universities using different criteria, so not every ranking offers the same information. For example, in a recent list of U.S. public colleges assembled by Business First, Binghamton University is ranked #16 in the nation, ahead of schools such as the University of Minnesota, The Ohio State University, Rutgers, Penn State and the University of Massachusetts.

In Kiplinger’s recent list of Best Value Colleges, Binghamton ranked #14 for in-state public colleges, #7 for out-of-state public colleges. Kiplinger’s searches for schools with modest price tags, substantial financial aid for students who qualify and low average debt among students who borrow.

Earlier this year, a number of Binghamton University graduate programs appeared in annual rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report. Seventeen University programs made the cut in the publication’s “Best Graduate Schools 2020” ranking. Fourteen programs are in the top 100 of their disciplines: clinical psychology, earth sciences, economics, English, history, mathematics, political science, psychology, public affairs, social work. business, engineering, industrial engineering and sociology.

Engineering, nursing, education and mathematics all moved up from the prior year. The University’s engineering program made the biggest leap, up 32 spots from #127 in last year’s rankings to #95 this year, with education close behind, moving up 31 spots from #158 to #127.

The “Best Graduate Schools” rankings are based on expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.