image: Jeffery Selingo's book "Dream Schools" lists Binghamton University among the best value colleges in the nation that graduating high school seniors should be paying attention to in order to further their education.
Credit: Jonathan Cohen
A new book by New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo lists Binghamton University among a select group of “dream schools.”
The recently released book Dream Schools examines what students and parents should look for when deciding where to continue their education and lists 75 colleges and universities that Selingo wrote should be on the radar of college applicants. Binghamton University is the only institution under the SUNY umbrella to be featured on the list.
“This recognition is a reminder of the responsibility to invest in what matters – academic innovation, hands-on learning and support for student success – so that students who learn at Binghamton University go on to contribute to the common good,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger.
Selingo considered several factors when determining which colleges to add to the list, including accessible admissions, solid career earnings when compared to the cost to attend the college, job prospects for students, student engagement, and the financial stability of the institution itself.
A major draw Selingo lists for Binghamton University students is the First-year Research Immersion program, which gives first-year students a head start by connecting them with research opportunities with faculty members right from the start. Selingo added that Binghamton University’s 90% retention rate of first-year students returning for their sophomore year is similar to that of a public flagship institution or elite private university.
Selingo also adds that when students graduate, they are set up for success in their careers.
“The price to earnings ratio is strong, especially for in-state students who pay a net price of $77,000 over four years and make that much annually across all majors, on average, ten years after graduating,” Selingo wrote.
“We hope that prospective students, their families and the broader community see our inclusion in Dream Schools as a promise that Binghamton University is a place where students are known, challenged, engaged and supported,” said Binghamton University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Hall.
Jeffrey Selingo is a nationally recognized author who has penned four books, with works geared toward both teenagers forming their post-high school plans and colleges evaluating how they impact students. Selingo’s books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller, New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year, New York Times Editors’ Choice, and USA Today Bestseller lists.
Dream School is now available at major booksellers through Simon and Schuster.