Binghamton University admits approximately 37.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Binghamton in the Selective category (25-50% admission rate), making it more accessible than highly competitive universities while maintaining rigorous admission standards. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights Binghamton's greater selectivity compared to typical four-year institutions, with the university admitting 40.4 percentage points fewer applicants than its peer group. This level of selectivity means that qualified students face meaningful competition but have substantially better odds than at elite institutions with single-digit acceptance rates. Students should approach Binghamton as a selective option that requires strong academic preparation but offers realistic admission prospects for well-prepared applicants. The university's selectivity allows it to maintain high academic standards while remaining accessible to a broader range of students than highly competitive institutions. Prospective students should ensure their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles while recognizing that Binghamton provides a middle ground between open admission and highly competitive institutions. For application strategy purposes, students should treat Binghamton as a match school if their credentials align with typical admits, or as a slight reach if their profile falls below the middle ranges of enrolled students.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Binghamton University typically demonstrate strong academic preparation across standardized test metrics. The middle 50% of enrolled students score between 1320-1490 on the SAT, with a median of 1415, placing Binghamton among institutions with exceptional test score profiles at the 99th percentile. SAT Math scores range from 660-760, while SAT Verbal scores span 660-730, indicating balanced strength across both sections. ACT scores range from 29-34 with a median of 32, also placing at the 99th percentile nationally. These ranges significantly exceed peer medians, with Binghamton's SAT median exceeding the peer median by 217 points, demonstrating the university's academic selectivity. Students scoring within the 1320-1490 SAT range or 29-34 ACT range align with typical enrolled students, though scores outside these ranges don't automatically disqualify applicants. The 25th percentile represents the bottom quarter of enrolled students, not admission minimums, while the 75th percentile represents the top quarter. Students scoring below the 25th percentile should expect to face competitive disadvantage but aren't automatically excluded from consideration. Those scoring above the 75th percentile position themselves favorably within the applicant pool. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, as test scores provide one indicator of competitive positioning within Binghamton's applicant pool.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Binghamton University enrolls a student body that reflects both academic selectivity and meaningful economic diversity. The university enrolls 27.5% Pell-eligible students, indicating more than one in four students come from lower-income families, which is substantial for a selective public institution. First-generation students comprise 24.8% of enrollment, demonstrating the university serves students whose families have limited college experience. Transfer students represent 20.7% of enrollment, indicating Binghamton provides pathways for community college graduates and students transferring from other institutions. This student composition suggests that while Binghamton maintains selective admission standards, the university actively enrolls students from diverse economic and educational backgrounds. The combination of high test scores and meaningful Pell and first-generation enrollment indicates the university balances academic selectivity with access commitments. Students from lower-income families should note the 27.5% Pell share when assessing institutional fit and support systems. First-generation students should consider the substantial 24.8% representation when evaluating whether they'll find peer community and institutional understanding of their background. Transfer applicants should recognize the significant 20.7% transfer enrollment as evidence of institutional support for this pathway, though transfer admission may follow different criteria than first-year admission.
Given Binghamton's 37.7% acceptance rate and high test score requirements, many qualified students will need backup options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with different admission profiles, costs, or locations.
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Students who enroll at Binghamton University demonstrate strong persistence and degree completion outcomes across diverse backgrounds. 88.5% of freshmen return for sophomore year, indicating strong initial satisfaction and academic preparation, though this falls slightly below the peer median of 83.7%. The six-year graduation rate reaches 83.7%, demonstrating that most students who begin at Binghamton complete their degrees within the traditional timeframe. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at 70.1%, creating a 13.6 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap indicates that while Binghamton enrolls substantial numbers of lower-income students, these students face additional challenges in degree completion compared to their higher-income peers. The Pell completion gap suggests that lower-income students should carefully consider support systems and financial planning when evaluating Binghamton. However, the 70.1% Pell completion rate still represents strong outcomes for this population when compared to national averages. Students who gain admission can expect an academically rigorous environment where most peers persist and graduate, though outcomes vary somewhat by economic background. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of both the academic rigor they'll encounter and the institutional support available for degree completion. The data suggests that students who are academically prepared and committed to their studies are likely to succeed at Binghamton University.
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