Binghamton University has been ranked the No. 1 best value public college in New York and No. 3 nationwide in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, underscoring its reputation for combining academic excellence with affordability.
The university also secured its place among the nation’s top institutions, ranking No. 34 among public universities and No. 73 overall. In the value category, Binghamton climbed to No. 35 nationally, up from No. 85 just two years ago.
“This recognition as a best value university reaffirms our commitment to offering world-class education at an affordable cost,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “We’re proud to offer students a high-quality academic experience that prepares them for success in their careers – without the burden of excessive debt.”
Several academic programs saw significant gains. The undergraduate engineering program rose to No. 86 from No. 98 last year, while nursing entered the top 100 at No. 98. Computer science advanced nine spots to No. 117. Other rankings included psychology at No. 85, social mobility at No. 98, business at No. 109, and economics at No. 121. Binghamton also ranked No. 43 for best schools for veterans.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Hall said the results reflect the strength of the institution. “It’s not only a powerful reminder of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, but it reinforces our commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success,” Hall said.
U.S. News evaluates universities on 17 measures, including graduation and retention rates, class sizes, faculty credentials, and student debt levels. Binghamton’s strong performance across these metrics highlights its role as a leading public research university.
The university was also recently named to Forbes’ Top Public Colleges list and was featured in New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Selingo’s book Dream Schools.
