Penn vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Penn: 5.4% against 38.6% (Binghamton).
The more international environment is at Penn (13.3% international students) than Binghamton (4%).
Average aid for an international student is $75,356 (Penn) and $8,377 (Binghamton).
The cheaper tuition belongs to Binghamton: $30,447 against $71,236, or $40,789 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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 38.61% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #501-600). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $71,236 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 Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 38.61% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1420).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $81K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 53,007 |
| International students | 13.3% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 100% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Penn or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Binghamton?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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