Harvard vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Harvard: 3.6% against 38.6% (Binghamton).
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 4% (Binghamton).
Real money goes to international students at Harvard ($81,046 on average), while Binghamton stops at $8,377.
On paper the cheaper option is Binghamton: $30,447 against $64,796, which is $34,349 less a year.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 38.61% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #501-600). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $64,796 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Binghamton for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 38.61% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1420).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $81K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 53,007 |
| International students | 15.7% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 100% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $85 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Harvard or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Binghamton?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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