Northwestern vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Northwestern admits 7.7%, Binghamton admits 38.6%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Northwestern: 11.8% of students against 4% (Binghamton).
Real money goes to international students at Northwestern ($74,103 on average), while Binghamton stops at $8,377.
The tuition gap is $40,142 a year: $30,447 (Binghamton) against $70,589.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 38.61% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #501-600). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $70,589 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 Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Binghamton for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 38.61% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1420).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $81K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 53,007 |
| International students | 11.8% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 100% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Northwestern or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Binghamton?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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