Binghamton University vs SUNY New Paltz

Binghamton University and State University of New York at New Paltz, both esteemed public institutions in New York, offer distinct academic experiences. Binghamton, with a lower acceptance rate of 44%, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including competitive majors like engineering and nursing. New Paltz, with a higher acceptance rate of 56%, excels in liberal arts and fine arts, attracting students seeking a more intimate learning environment. While Binghamton's student body is more diverse, New Paltz has a higher graduation rate. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	State University of New York at New Paltz	Binghamton University
Overview
Location	New Paltz, New York	Vestal, New York
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	82.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	46.1%	44.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1150 - 1318	1310 - 1470
ACT range	24 - 30	30 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	18.0%	54.0%
Students submitting ACT score	4.0%	13.0%
Total number of applicants	12,482	39,533
Total number of admissions given out	5,759	17,455
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,133	3,089
Yield rate	19.7%	17.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,387 Out of state: $37,297	In state: $29,454 Out of state: $45,484
Average net price	$15,318	$17,881
Tuition	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $16,980	In state: $7,070 Out of state: $23,100
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,494 Meal plan: $5,000	Room/dormitory: $11,433 Meal plan: $5,631
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	64.0% Average amount $10,509	60.0% Average amount $10,858
Students receiving federal student loan	50.0% Average amount $5,206	47.0% Average amount $5,434
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $13,431	6.0% Average amount $15,234

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,256 Men 36.5% Women 63.5%	14,307 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
Graduate students	819 Men 31.5% Women 68.5%	3,748 Men 48.6% Women 51.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	2.8%	9.0%
International students	2.3%	9.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,198	7,449
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania Mississippi	New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Connecticut Mississippi

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions Engineering	Business Engineering Health Professions Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.3%	83.8%
Dropout rate	5.4%	3.5%
Transferred out	20.3%	12.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,136 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $77,593 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,207 Year 2: $51,607 Year 3: $70,694 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,261 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $68,967 Education, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $64,432 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,173 Year 2: $56,979 Year 3: $60,594 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,780 Year 2: $59,688 Year 3: $60,283 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,434 Year 2: $57,899 Year 3: $59,895 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,718 Year 2: $43,128 Year 3: $55,591 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,748 Year 2: $45,794 Year 3: $53,954 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,928 Year 2: $39,508 Year 3: $53,925	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,610 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $108,777 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,050 Year 2: $84,161 Year 3: $92,325 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,644 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $89,400 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,544 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,921 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,035 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $83,024 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,692 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $82,373 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,297 Year 2: $67,886 Year 3: $81,290 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,124 Year 2: $68,443 Year 3: $79,790 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,746 Year 2: $69,002 Year 3: $76,626 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,800 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $76,330

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Binghamton University and SUNY New Paltz?

Binghamton University is a larger, research-focused university with a more comprehensive range of graduate programs and a stronger emphasis on research opportunities. SUNY New Paltz is a smaller, primarily undergraduate-focused institution known for its strong arts and humanities programs, as well as its location in the scenic Hudson Valley.
Which school is more selective: Binghamton University or SUNY New Paltz?

Binghamton University is generally more selective than SUNY New Paltz. Binghamton typically has a lower acceptance rate and higher average SAT/ACT scores for admitted students.
How do the academic programs compare between Binghamton and New Paltz?

Binghamton University offers a wider array of programs, particularly at the graduate level, with strengths in engineering, business, and the sciences. SUNY New Paltz excels in fine arts, digital media, education, and liberal arts. Consider your specific academic interests when deciding.
What is the campus environment like at each school?

Binghamton University has a more traditional, larger university feel with a diverse student body and a vibrant campus life. SUNY New Paltz offers a more intimate and close-knit community in a smaller, more picturesque setting. New Paltz is also known for its proximity to outdoor activities and a more artsy, bohemian vibe.
How do the costs of attending Binghamton University and SUNY New Paltz compare?

Tuition costs are generally similar for in-state students at both Binghamton University and SUNY New Paltz, as they are both part of the SUNY system. However, overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. Binghamton may have slightly higher fees in some areas.
Which school is better for students interested in research?

Binghamton University is generally considered better for students interested in research, especially in STEM fields. It's a designated R1 research university with more extensive research facilities and funding opportunities compared to SUNY New Paltz.
How does the location of each school impact the student experience?

Binghamton University is located in the city of Binghamton, NY, offering a mix of urban and suburban experiences. SUNY New Paltz is situated in the village of New Paltz, NY, in the Hudson Valley, providing access to outdoor recreation, art galleries, and a more relaxed atmosphere. New Paltz is closer to New York City.
What are the career services like at Binghamton and New Paltz?

Both Binghamton University and SUNY New Paltz offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Binghamton's larger size and broader alumni network may provide a wider range of opportunities, particularly in certain industries. New Paltz's career services are tailored to its specific academic strengths.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each school?

Binghamton University boasts a wide array of clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics, catering to diverse interests. SUNY New Paltz offers a more focused selection of clubs and activities, with a strong emphasis on arts, culture, and outdoor recreation. Both schools have active student governments and campus events.
Which school is known for its specific academic programs?

Binghamton University is known for its programs in engineering, business, nursing, and the sciences. SUNY New Paltz is recognized for its programs in fine arts, digital media production, education, and liberal arts.
How do the graduation rates compare between Binghamton University and SUNY New Paltz?

Binghamton University generally has a higher graduation rate than SUNY New Paltz. This can be attributed to factors such as Binghamton's higher selectivity and greater resources.
What are the housing options like at each university?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. Binghamton University has a larger residential campus with more diverse housing choices. SUNY New Paltz also offers off-campus housing options in the village of New Paltz.

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