Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Binghamton University #103 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $80,304, placing Binghamton University in the 86.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Accounting #10 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level strength that anchors Binghamton University's broad return profile. --- Students at Binghamton University achieve median 4-year earnings that place the university among the stronger-performing institutions in the Azimuth coverage set, reflecting a program mix that converts public-university pricing into durable post-graduation outcomes. Binghamton University's composite ranking captures a balance of return, access, and affordability that few public universities in New York sustain simultaneously.
Azimuth ranks Binghamton University #103 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Vestal, NY, Binghamton University enrolls roughly 14,655 undergraduates. Retention stands at 89.4% and the six-year graduation rate reaches 81.6%, figures that reflect strong degree completion relative to most public research universities. The composite is driven by return on investment. Azimuth ranks Binghamton University #238 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $80,304, and earn about $2,422 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Binghamton University in the 68.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Biological Sciences, but strong outcomes extend across several fields — specific programs like Accounting deliver earnings well above their national CIP benchmarks. Mobility and affordability contribute meaningfully to the composite, with Binghamton University sitting in the 93.2 percentile for mobility and the 59.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access sits lower in the composite at the 91.0 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions — Binghamton University admits about 38.6% of applicants, and 28.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants with 24.8% identifying as first-generation, levels that reflect a moderately selective admissions posture rather than broad open access.
Binghamton University's published cost of attendance is $30,345, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,171 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $20,347, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,475. Azimuth ranks Binghamton University #582 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each group pay more and some pay less than the figures shown. Binghamton's public-tuition structure and broad financial aid reach help keep costs relatively predictable across income levels. Families apply for need-based aid through the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. New York State residents may also benefit from state grant programs that can further reduce net price for qualifying families, though individual eligibility varies. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be larger than it first appears, and Binghamton's aid structure reflects the advantages of a public flagship model. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,270; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $80,304, median federal debt of $18,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $209 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Binghamton University is a strong fit for students seeking a public research university in NY that delivers above-average long-term earnings without the cost of higher-priced private institutions — particularly those drawn to the biological sciences, social sciences, and applied professional fields. Graduates earn median $80,304 four years after enrollment, placing Binghamton University in the 86.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $2,422 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 68.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure rewards Pell-eligible and first-generation applicants meaningfully. With 28.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 24.8% identifying as first-generation, Binghamton University serves a broad access population — and Binghamton University sits in the 92.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, suggesting that access and outcomes are not in tension here. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is anchored in Biological Sciences and adjacent fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking heavily professional or vocational tracks may find a narrower fit. The university admits 38.6% of applicants, making it selective relative to most public institutions in the Azimuth coverage set.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Binghamton University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Binghamton University's published cost of attendance is $30,345, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,171 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $20,347, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,475.
Azimuth ranks Binghamton University #582 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each group pay more and some pay less than the figures shown.
Binghamton's public-tuition structure and broad financial aid reach help keep costs relatively predictable across income levels. Families apply for need-based aid through the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
New York State residents may also benefit from state grant programs that can further reduce net price for qualifying families, though individual eligibility varies. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be [larger than it first appears](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and Binghamton's aid structure reflects the advantages of a public flagship model.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,270; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $80,304, median federal debt of $18,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $209 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Binghamton University earn median earnings of $80,304 four years after enrollment, placing Binghamton University in the 86.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $2,422 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 68.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Binghamton University #238 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern at Binghamton University reflects a program mix anchored in Biological Sciences, which accounts for 14% of degrees, followed by Business at 14% and Engineering at 8%. Biology, General combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile.
Azimuth ranks Biology, General #32 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment per the [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 443 graduates earning median earnings of $66,816. The Economics program graduates 333 students with median earnings of $81,040, and Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #20 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 310 graduates earning $67,249.
Further down the lineup, Neurobiology and Neurosciences and Mathematics round out the top programs, graduating 237 and 175 students respectively with median earnings of $77,478 and $82,492 four years after enrollment.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart William Smith Colleges Higher acceptance rate (19.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 74 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 57% | $68,831 | Compare |
University Of Scranton Higher acceptance rate (46.6 percentage points higher) and located 50 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 84% | $74,652 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (44 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Higher acceptance rate (16.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 54% | $73,997 | Compare |
Hamilton College Same state (72 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus | NY | 12% | $78,411 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities Similar quality tier (#4222 ranked) | MN | 80% | $69,020 | #4222 | Compare |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Similar quality tier (#4229 ranked) | VA | 55% | $81,698 | #4229 | Compare |
Florida Atlantic University Similar quality tier (#4230 ranked) | FL | 66% | $56,746 | #4230 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Similar quality tier in Northeast (#4220 ranked) | CT | 52% | $73,997 | #4220 | Compare |
University At Buffalo Similar quality tier in Northeast (#4219 ranked) | NY | 74% | $70,814 | #4219 | Compare |
Computer Science
115 graduates
Computer Engineering
51 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
128 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
73 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
169 graduates
Binghamton University's program mix is anchored in biological sciences, business, and engineering — a portfolio that balances pre-professional and quantitative fields across 44 programs serving roughly 3,885 students annually. Social Sciences accounts for 14% of graduates, followed by Business at 14% and Engineering at 8%.
The dominant concentration in Biological Sciences reflects the university's strength as a research-oriented public institution, though the highest financial returns come from applied business and health fields rather than the life sciences. Biology, General combines large cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a key driver of Binghamton University's overall financial profile.
Among the highest-earning programs, Finance leads with median earnings of $115,013 four years after enrollment from a cohort of 128 graduates, and Azimuth ranks the program #21 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Nursing follows with median earnings of $108,691 from 169 graduates, and Azimuth ranks it #34 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The Accounting program graduates 171 students with median earnings of $106,323, while Mathematics produces 175 graduates earning $82,492. The largest programs by enrollment — Biology, General (443 graduates), Economics (333 graduates), and Psychology, General (310 graduates) — show more moderate early-career earnings, consistent with fields where many graduates continue to graduate or professional school.
That distinction matters for interpreting Binghamton University's earnings profile. Programs like Biology, General and Psychology, General are grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because a meaningful share of graduates pursue medical, dental, or doctoral training.
Finance, Nursing, and Accounting, by contrast, are high-mobility programs where graduates enter the workforce directly and four-year earnings reflect [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) in national labor markets. For context on [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), the methodology weights both cohort scale and earnings outcomes. ```
