Binghamton University: Top School, Bottom Cost

Introduction
Binghamton is the kind of school of students who are looking for all of the critical benefits of a large research university but want the small, intimate feel of a smaller liberal arts college. Recruiters and grad schools agree that Binghamton produces kids at least as competitive as the Ivy breed, except we come out with a fraction of the debt. This is a school of people who seek a top quality education but aren't jaded by fancy names and ivy covered buildings. I wouldn't recommend a student who does not seek diversity and global perspective to consider Binghamton. BU has an amazing cross section of the world - apt in a flattening global context.

Campus Life and Social Life
There is a little something for everyone. While some people will tell you they don't even know if we have a basketball team, thousands of fans will be painting their faces green and traveling hundreds of miles for a game. Frat houses are packed on weekends, but many people will never step foot in one; the library is equally packed. Downtown is a popular weekend spot - mug nights, open bars, you name it. There is plenty for the non-partying student as well. Downtown boasts over 40 art galleries, museums, jazz and blues clubs, coffee shops, hippie shops, minor league sports games, the symphony and opera. There is also a large outdoors crowd. The 180 acre nature preserve on campus is just one option among many nearby state parks. Who won't find anything to do in Binghamton? Anyone who expects to find everything you find in New York City anywhere outside of New York City (it happens). Academics
Academics are top notch. It isn't unheard of to have a professor here and there, but the vast majority get rave reviews. There aren't very many PhD students, so professors are almost always the ones teaching you classes. The programs that get top reviews are Business, Sciences, Political Science, Anthropology, English and Nursing. No one will deny that the Fine arts and Human Development are jokes compared to other majors.

Student Body
The student body is predominantly New York City and NYC suburbanites. Never the less, about 20% come from out of state and it seems every year that number grows. It's very easy to find a great group of friends you fit in with and no one has any contention across groups. Never the less, if you aren't a rich long-islander, you may find the ugs get to be a little much sometimes.

In Closing...
The people that have the hardest time choosing Binghamton are the people who can't step back and evaluate a school for themselves. They are the ones who put too much stake in a name and the age of building. The reality is that Binghamton has only the best outcomes and a relatively satisfied student body. It is common for a Binghamton student to turn down an Ivy League school... and it almost always pays off. They might get carried away with the promotion of "best value," but the bottom line is, you can't get such a good education at such a low price anywhere else. Binghamton is a great school.