Binghamton University moves up two slots on Princeton Review’s best values list

Binghamton University is the nation’s #4 “best value” public college for 2011 according to The Princeton Review, one of America’s best-known education services companies. Moving up two slots from last year’s #6 ranking, Binghamton University was again heralded for being a great return on investment for its students.

“Even in this challenging economy, Binghamton University continues to provide an excellent education and exceptional value to students and their families,” said Interim President C. Peter Magrath. “We take pride in our ability to think creatively about our activities and our ability to tap into any possible innovations so that we can continue to provide the kind of high-quality education that our students have come to expect from Binghamton University.

This most recent ranking is “appropriate and reassuring,” he added, “but the reality is that with the cuts we’ve been getting the last few years and with tuition remarkably low, I’m concerned about the resources side that allows us to maintain our high quality and makes everyone excited about us.

“It is a challenge for us to continue to be affordable and high quality when we continue to face budget cuts. The issue is accessibility and quality, not affordability,” he said. “I’m interested in access for all qualified people and I want us to continue to be accessible and of high quality, but if we don’t have the resources, quality will suffer.”
 
The Princeton Review teamed with USA TODAY, one of the nation’s most widely read newspapers, to present its list, “The Princeton Review Best Value Colleges for 2011.” In its profile of Binghamton on USA TODAY’s website, the editors at The Princeton Review commend the University for its ability to offer “students a true value: This medium-sized university is more competitive than many of the northeast’s private schools, yet its top-notch education is available for a low state-school price.”
 
The Princeton Review chose the schools on its “Best Value Colleges for 2011” list based on criteria covering academics, cost of attendance, and financial aid. The methodology examined more than 30 factors using data from the Company’s surveys of administrators and students at 650 colleges with strong academic programs. Most of the data analyzed came from surveys conducted from fall 2009 through fall 2010: all cost and financial aid data came from fall 2010 surveys.
 
The list, which features 100 colleges and universities in all − 50 public and 50 private − was posted on Feb. 22 on the websites of The Princeton Review and USA TODAY.