Binghamton again features prominently in rankings, college guides
By Gail Glover
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.
In reviewing this year's roundup of top honors, University President C. Peter Magrath noted, "We work very hard to be an exceptional university and as a result, we consistently rank among the elite institutions in the nation. To be included in such a broad array of accolades and rankings speaks highly of our reputation for providing an excellent education, and serves as a tribute to the hard work of University faculty, staff and students."
Binghamton's most recent recognition comes from U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the University 39th among public universities and colleges, and 90th among all public and private universities in its 2012 listing of "America's Best Colleges." Binghamton University also ranks 80th in the publication's "High School Counselor Rankings," which sought input from guidance counselors from all the high schools in U.S. News's 2010 best high schools rankings, as well as from large private, independent schools nationwide, regarding which national universities and national liberal arts colleges they think offer the best undergraduate education to their students.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings measure peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and "graduation rate performance".
Earlier this summer, The Princeton Review released its "Best 376 Colleges" guide, ranking Binghamton University on its 50 top public universities list. Binghamton University was also featured prominently on The Princeton Review's "green honor roll" for campus environmental policies, practices and academic offerings.
In addition, Binghamton was included in The Princeton Review's most popular undergraduate major listings by cornering a spot on the "Great School for Computer Science/Computer Engineering Majors" lineup.
In rankings released earlier this year, Binghamton University is listed as the fourth best value for public universities nationwide based on academics, cost of attendance and financial aid. Binghamton University also features in The Princeton Review's online review of "Best in the Northeast" colleges. The Princeton Review's selection criteria cover more than 30 factors in three areas: academics, cost of attendance and financial aid.
The 2011 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges calls the University one of the "premier public universities in the Northeast," adding that Binghamton "offers an environment that's intellectually challenging, but manageable – and fun." Fiske also recognized Binghamton for its four-year graduation rate, which, it points out, "is among the highest of any public university." The highly selective guidebook includes more than 300 colleges and universities from 2,200-plus four-year institutions surveyed in the United States. The listing was based on questionnaires sent to administrators and students.
Also out this summer are the Forbes rankings, which put Binghamton University at 37th on its list of best buys and 196th in the nation. To compile its rankings, Forbes reviews factors such as student satisfaction, postgraduate success, student debt and graduation rates. Focusing on the top 20 percent of all undergraduate institutions, the rankings are exclusively prepared for Forbes by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP), a Washington, D.C. think tank.
Binghamton University was also recognized in the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education's "Top 100 Degree Producers" ranking of the institutions that confer the most degrees to minority students, appearing on both undergraduate and graduate student listings. The rankings highlight total number of degrees awarded to minority students across all disciplines, as well as in specific disciplines.
In addition, Binghamton University once again made the Sierra Club's "America's Coolest Schools" listing, which ranks institutions' efforts in categories such as energy supply, efficiency, food, academics, purchasing, transportation and waste management.
And, in a recent survey of more than 8,000 schools, Binghamton University was named by G.I. Jobs magazine as a "military friendly" school. G.I. Jobs magazine is the premier publication for men and women who are transitioning from military to civilian life, providing education, transition assistance and job opportunities.
