Binghamton University vs. Penn State

Deciding between Binghamton University and Penn State Main Campus? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Binghamton University
Penn State Main Campus

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Binghamton University Vestal, NY
  • Penn State University Park, PA
  • Setting
  • Binghamton University Midsize Suburban
  • Penn State Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Binghamton University 18,816
  • Penn State 50,737
  • Type
  • Binghamton University Public 4 Year
  • Penn State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Binghamton University #127
  • Penn State #185
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Binghamton University -
  • Penn State -
  • Status
  • Binghamton University Non-profit
  • Penn State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Binghamton University
  • Penn State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Binghamton University $10,567
  • Penn State $20,644
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Binghamton University $30,447
  • Penn State $41,790
  • Room & Board
  • Binghamton University $18,809
  • Penn State $14,474
  • Average Net Price
  • Binghamton University $18,877
  • Penn State $27,889
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Binghamton University $11,366
  • Penn State $11,336
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Binghamton University 61%
  • Penn State 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Binghamton University 53,007
  • Penn State 88,478
  • Admitted
  • Binghamton University 20,464
  • Penn State 53,579
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Binghamton University 38.6%
  • Penn State 60.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Binghamton University 15.9%
  • Penn State 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Binghamton University 1420
  • Penn State 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Binghamton University 31
  • Penn State 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Binghamton University 4.0
  • Penn State -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Binghamton University A/A+
  • Penn State -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Binghamton University Very High
  • Penn State Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Binghamton University High
  • Penn State Low
  • ACT Range
  • Binghamton University 30/32
  • Penn State 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Binghamton University 1340/1500
  • Penn State 1240/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Binghamton University Test optional
  • Penn State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Binghamton University Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Binghamton University 18:1
  • Penn State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Binghamton University
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • Business (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Penn State
    • Business (16%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Binghamton University 77%
  • Penn State 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Binghamton University $64,500
  • Penn State $55,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Binghamton University 76%
  • Penn State 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Binghamton University $19,535
  • Penn State $26,818
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Binghamton University $201
  • Penn State $277

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Binghamton University 48%
  • Penn State 52%
  • % Women
  • Binghamton University 52%
  • Penn State 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Binghamton University High
  • Penn State Medium
  • HBCU
  • Binghamton University No
  • Penn State No
  • % White
  • Binghamton University 56%
  • Penn State 69%
  • % Asian
  • Binghamton University 14%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Black
  • Binghamton University 5%
  • Penn State 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Binghamton University 10%
  • Penn State 6%
  • % Native American
  • Binghamton University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Binghamton University 0%
  • Penn State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Binghamton University 2%
  • Penn State 3%
  • % International
  • Binghamton University 10%
  • Penn State 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Binghamton University 2%
  • Penn State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Binghamton University 82%
  • Penn State 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Binghamton University 14%
  • Penn State 40%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Binghamton University No
  • Penn State Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • Penn State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Binghamton University Yes
  • Penn State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Binghamton University in Vestal, NY with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than Binghamton University based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 18,816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Binghamton University is located in Vestal, NY (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
  • Binghamton University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Binghamton University 18:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

Binghamton University vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Binghamton University or Penn State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Binghamton University than Penn State ($18,877 vs. $27,889).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 23% lower than at Binghamton University ($14,474 vs. $18,809).
  • Penn State Main Campus is 95.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Binghamton University (about $10,077 more per year; $20,644.00 vs. $10,567.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at Penn State than at Binghamton University (about $11,343 more per year; $41,790.00 vs. $30,447.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Binghamton University than at Penn State Main Campus (61% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Binghamton University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($11,366 vs. $11,336).

Binghamton University vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Binghamton University or Penn State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State and Binghamton University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Binghamton University (1420) is 90 points higher than at Penn State (1330).
  • Incoming Binghamton University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Penn State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Binghamton University 1340/1500; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Binghamton University 30/32; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Binghamton University - Test optional; Penn State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Binghamton University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Penn State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than Binghamton University (38.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Binghamton University vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

Binghamton University vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Binghamton University and Penn State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Penn State Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Binghamton University's (77%).
  • Graduates from Binghamton University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Penn State graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Binghamton University graduates have a $7,283 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($19,535 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Binghamton University graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($201 vs. $277).
  • More Binghamton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.