SUNY Binghamton  -  Binghamton

The flagship of the State University of New York system, Binghamton offers a high quality education at a bargain price, a proposition that many native New Yorkers find hard to resist. And quality academics make it easier for students to concentrate on studying. Since the substantial student body weighs in at around 11,000, small classes are less common than lecture-style courses, but professors are available during office hours and students tend to seek out the right amount of personal attention. “Binghamton is that size where if you don't want to be noticed you won't be, but if you want to get to know a professor you still have to do a little leg work,” writes a senior majoring in engineering. Classes generally get very good reviews, though as one senior studying the humanities explains, “It really depends on the professor and the departments. I have had professors never know who I am and I have had the pleasure of having dinner in professors 'houses.” Though the degrees of academic rigor vary by major, there are not a lot of easy A’s at Binghamton; standards are high across the board. While there is not too much competition between students, they tend to take their work seriously, and there aren’t many who regularly blow off schoolwork. “The library is usually packed by the 3rd or 4th week until the end of finals,” says a senior studying mathematics.

Many undergrads note that the university's location can be disappointing. One alum puts it diplomatically: “Binghamton, as a city, has been economically depressed for many years, so the location is perhaps not ideal.” Others are less polite: “Binghamton, the city itself, really really sucks,” says a sophomore. “THERE IS NOTHING DO HERE.” But the shortcomings of the area don’t do much to drag down the spirits of BU undergrads. “OK, the weather sucks in Binghamton most of the time. It loves to rain, be cloudy, or snow. I cant stand the cold, but yet I love Binghamton U" proclaims another alum.

Though diversity is a big selling point for Binghamton, close to 90% of undergrads come from within New York State, particularly Long Island and around New York City. One freshman sums up his classmates as “very mixed, high percentage of Jewish and Asian...mainly middle-class students and most are from the New York area". The population can be somewhat geographically homogeneous, which is common for state schools and not a problem for most natives. “Yes, there are also a lot of Long Islanders, but being a proud Long Islander, I see nothing wrong with that,” says one sophomore. Binghamton’s student-run cultural identity organizations are among the most popular groups on campus: the Student Association, BU’s student government body, charters almost 200 groups on campus and helps plan annual events like Oktoberfest and Casino-in-the-Woods.

In spite of the broad array of races and religions found on campus, self-segregation can be a problem, and the housing system helps group students by interest instead. One junior reports, “our small living communities are like little colleges within the big university, so you get both a large- and small-school feel." A junior agrees, “The best thing about Binghamton is the way the residence halls are all tightly knit. The closest community is a two-minute walk at most, which creates a very social atmosphere with the students." Athletics and Greek life help bring the campus together, although the lack of a football team contributes to the fact that, as one freshman complains, “we lack school pride." Others disagree. “I think school pride is increasing," a junior explains. "It's not as exciting as a football school, which would be awesome to be a part of, but I think it's slowly getting there. I love that Binghamton is a good balance of work and play. It's not so crazy where we're all studying all the time, but we're not a total party school either. We take academics seriously. But we also take enjoying ourselves seriously too."

While Binghamton students may not be treated to the most exciting location in New York State, most of them find that the school has plenty of outlets for the academically and socially active, as well as an upwardly mobile reputation. As one freshman puts it, “Binghamton is just a good place to get a general college experience. There's diversity and a wide range of courses you can take, and I like that you can explore different options. The school size is pretty big and it's impossible to get to know everybody, but it's nice having a lot of people around. You meet all sorts of people." Another agrees, “It definitely is the premier public university in the Northeast. If you're not going to an Ivy League school, then it's the next best option."