Computer Science at Binghamton University

Binghamton's Computer Science program outperforms 76% of CS programs nationwide while charging SUNY tuition—a combination that's hard to beat for New York families. With first-year earnings of $82,329 and just $19,500 in median debt, graduates start their careers with a debt burden they could theoretically pay off in three months of work, though they won't. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional.

The trajectory looks strong too: earnings jump 40% to $115,000 by year four, putting graduates solidly into six figures. Within New York, this program lands at the 60th percentile—respectable when you consider it costs a fraction of what Cornell or Columbia charge, yet produces graduates earning more than many private alternatives. The gap to the very top tier exists (Cornell grads start at $153,000), but Binghamton's value proposition holds up when you account for the likely $100,000+ difference in total attendance costs.

For families weighing flagship state university options, this program delivers competitive outcomes at a price point that makes the economics straightforward. The moderate sample size suggests these figures are reliable without being based on just a handful of graduates. If your child can gain admission (with that 38% acceptance rate and 1415 average SAT, it's selective but not impossibly so), this represents one of the better risk-adjusted computer science investments in the Northeast.