I’m accepted to both Binghamton and Syracuse for master in accounting but I can’t make up my mind. I received $7500 scholarship from Syracuse so the tuition actually doesn’t have a big difference. I plan to take CPA exam when I’m in graduate school and I hope to enter into one of big four after my graduation. So I’m more concerned about reputation of these two schools in the area of accounting. Which is the better school for accounting? Which school can bring me more big four resources and job opportunities? Which school can better prepare me for sitting CPA exam? Which is a better choice?
Could anyone give me some recommendations? 
bump
I think you have equal choices. Syracuse is probably better known nationally but honestly I think that’s due to their D1 sports and the fact that they were named the #1 party school (I believe last year). Binghamton is better known in NYS but is also the hardest SUNY school to get into. I would venture to guess its harder to get into Binghamton than Syracuse. Both have bad weather. I would think Binghamton would be much more affordable. Have you visited both? Go with where you’d most like to live and spend your time.
@lola519 Are you done with undergraduate and only looking for 1 or 2 years of graduate school to obtain your Masters for Accounting? Or are you starting undergrad and plan for a 5 year program? Its not clear from your question. Regardless, i would pick Binghamton School of Management (SOM) over Syracuse Whitman. Binghamton’s SOM’s strength is in Accounting. I know a few students at SOM who switched to Accounting because they saw that most of the SOM’s resources were devoted to the Accounting program. The Big Four Accounting firms recruit heavily there. I don’t know about Syracuse’s Whitman. And as for costs —even with your scholarship–how are the costs even comparable? Syracuse’s tuition and fees are about $45,000 (maybe a slight increase next year). And room and board is over $15,000, which is outrageously high, With your scholarship you are looking at over $52,000 per year. In contrast, Binghamton will be about $24,000 (i assume you are an in-state resident). Too large a difference in cost and in my opininon Binghamton stands at least the same if not better than Syracuse for Accounting.
What do your financial aid packages look like? Can your parents afford the net costs?
Syracuse undergrad tuition is ~$45k. After an $8k grant, the balance is $37k/year + $15k room and board = $52k/year. Their grad school costs are similar.
SUNY undergrad tuition is $6400. Plus $1600 fees and ~$13k room & board = $21k/year. Grad school tuition is over $12k. Even if housing and meals cost $20k/year, the cost for Binghamton would “only” be ~$32k/year.
That’s a big difference.
yeah, I’ll finish my undergraduate in June and look for a graduate accounting program. Thanks for giving me detailed facts about SOM.
I am a CPA but I don’t have direct knowledge of those two schools – however I would suggest:
–You can ask for statistics about where people end up after the programs (ex. % big 4, % other public etc.), get information about what firms interview there etc. Keep in mind that a number of people will already have jobs lined up after summer internships.
–The best way to prepare for the CPA exam is to take a very good review course. If you get a job, many firms will pay for the review course (my S took Becker online and thought it was very helpful).
I’m accepted to both Binghamton and Syracuse for master in accounting but I can’t make up my mind. I received $7500 scholarship from Syracuse so the tuition actually doesn’t have a big difference. I plan to take CPA exam when I’m in graduate school and I hope to enter into one of big four after my graduation. So I’m more concerned about reputation of these two schools in the area of accounting. Which is the better school for accounting? Which school can bring me more big four resources and job opportunities? Which school can better prepare me for sitting CPA exam? Which is a better choice?
The deadline is approaching so please give me some recommendations. I really appreciate it!! Thank you soooooo much!!!
I’m accepted to both Binghamton and Syracuse for master in accounting but I can’t make up my mind. I received $7500 scholarship from Syracuse so the tuition actually doesn’t have a big difference. I plan to take CPA exam when I’m in graduate school and I hope to enter into one of big four after my graduation. So I’m more concerned about reputation of these two schools in the area of accounting. Which is the better school for accounting? Which school can bring me more big four resources and job opportunities? Which school can better prepare me for sitting CPA exam? Which is a better choice?
The deadline is approaching so please give me some recommendations. I really appreciate it!! Thank you soooooo much!!!
I’m accepted to both Binghamton and Syracuse for master in accounting but I can’t make up my mind. I received $7500 scholarship from Syracuse so the tuition actually doesn’t have a big difference. I plan to take CPA exam when I’m in graduate school and I hope to enter into one of big four after my graduation. So I’m more concerned about reputation of these two schools in the area of accounting. Which is the better school for accounting? Which school can bring me more big four resources and job opportunities? Which school can better prepare me for sitting CPA exam? Which is a better choice?
The deadline is approaching so please give me some recommendations. I really appreciate it!! Thank you soooooo much!!!