Hi all,
I recently got accepted to both Binghamton University and Rutgers. I like both of them for different reasons, so it makes it hard to nail down a definitive decision of which one I prefer more. Rutgers would be cheaper for me as a NJ resident, but I think the higher cost of Binghamton could be justified if it provides more bang for my buck. I want to major in political science and go on to law school. If anyone has any input, it would be much appreciated!
Not sure what you mean by bang for the buck.
I don’t think any academic would consider Binghamton a peer of Rutgers.
I live in NJ as well, and Rutgers has its issues, but I don’t think Binghamton is in the same class as Rutgers.
Neither of them are world-class, both are decent/okay schools. Go with your gut.
Or, better yet, consider any offers other universities have given you. I’m sure you can get into places where you would be far happier at than Binghamton or Rutgers.
@TurnerT Excuse me if my interpretation is incorrect, but what you are saying is that Rutgers is better than Binghamton? Would you mind saving me from my own ignorance, but IMHO, Binghamton is better?
I’d place SUNY Binghamton a big ahead academically but they are both good schools. If both schools are truly affordable, visit both and decide which school fits your needs/interests better.
It’s not horrible by any means, but many New Jerseyans would disagree that it’s underrated…
Binghamton is more of a regional school. It is ranked as a national university but that is absurd given Villanova is ranked as a regional.
The better comparison is TCNJ vs Binghamton and TCNJ would be the better of the two.
Rutgers despite its problems being spread out over 6 towns is a true national school where in some disciplines like pharma, other sciences and education would be among the nations best.
You are no different than most NJ high schoolers looking OOS, but going to Binghamton over Rutgers is illogical. Going to U Conn over Rutgers is a reasonable proposition.
I live in New Jersey as well. I think Binghamton is a bit better, but both are fine schools.
I’d go to Rutgers, unless you can afford the extra $32,000 (or more) over four years.
@TurnerT in any case, I’d give all three of Rutgers, Binghamton, and TCNJ 4 stars out of 5 academically. Villanova is definitely 4.5 out of 5, though. But you’re right about Binghamton’s national ranking being a complete farce.
Binghamton’s SAT score averages are significantly higher (middle range: 1210-1370) than those of Rutgers (1090-1340), at least at the 25th (and, by inference, at the 50th) percentile. If the OP perceives Binghamton as being academically more serious than Rutgers, there is certainly numerical justication for this.
@coolkid98: Binghamton might be worth the extra expense, but intangible factors, such as the feeling you have while on these respective campuses, or a comparison of your experiences of sitting in on classes, would have to be in Binghamton’s favor for the decision to approach clarity. If you can’t resolve it in this manner, then Rutgers might be the better option when cost is considered.
@merc81 That difference means nothing for two reasons. First, Rutgers NB is probably 4 times the size as Binghamton. A hundred point difference in the low end has to occur as school size goes up. Second, Rutgers is a big Division 1 sports school so you can easily account for that differential.
@TurnerT: I’d agree that the difference would mean nothing if it were, for instance, 60 points, but not 120.
I think if you look at test ranges college by college at Rutgers you will see certain fields of study like fine arts and education will have lower stats. In a school so comprehensive and so large that is bound to happen.
I think the comparison of Rutgers and Binghamton is sort of ridiculous.
Numbers aside, I hope the OP can get a true feel for these schools before deciding.
To pay a premium for Binghampton over Rutgers is illogical.
60% of NJ seniors go to school outside NJ. That may be the highest in the country.
@TurnerT why is it so ridiculous? Rutgers isn’t THAT good. At all.
@hzhao2004 I’d pay a premium to attend North Carolina State (for example) over Rutgers for free any day of the week.
@warblersrule that’s because Rutgers is the state flagship. It doesn’t make it a desirable school by any means.
I go to a public high school in NJ and most people who get accepted to Binghamton and Rutgers would go to Binghamton in a heartbeat. Even now in December, a lot of people are already committed to Binghamton regardless of their results from Rutgers. Both are good schools, but here in NJ it seems generally agreed upon that Binghamton is the stronger school academically. However, the ultimate choice is up to you and if money is a concern, going to Rutgers would not be bad at all! I agree it is a bit underrated.
“It is ranked as a national university but that is absurd given Villanova is ranked as a regional.”
It’s not absurd. Whether universities are ranked as regional or national has to do with the degrees they offer, not their reputations. Rutgers has robust doctoral programs while Villanova does not.
If I wanted to go to law school, I’d go to the lower priced school (as long as it was a decent school and Rutgers is) and make the most of it, get the highest GPA possible, etc.
I was very blessed to go to law school with my undergrad paid for (by my parents - good of them). Even going to a good, in-state, modestly priced law school, it took me ten years to pay off those loans (could have done it faster but I didn’t). I had classmates who had loans from UG, and then more for law. That can get very stressful by the time you graduate, and it can affect your job prospects. If you want to start out as a state attorney or PD you might not be able to afford it (without loan forgiveness).
Keep yourself as flexible as possible.