SUNY Campuses Top Kiplinger's "Best Value" List for 2007

Albany – State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan today announced that two of SUNY’s colleges topped this year’s Kiplinger’s “Best Value” in public colleges list, while seven others also ranked among the best in the nation.

According to Kiplinger’s, Binghamton University ranked 5^th in the nation and Geneseo ranked 7^th for offering students a high-quality education at a relatively low total cost.  Stony Brook University, the College at Fredonia, the Universities at Albany and Buffalo as well as the Colleges at Cortland, Oneonta, and Purchase also made the top 100.

Kiplinger's determined its rankings based on data provided by more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities. Schools on the list were ranked according to academic quality, cost and financial aid. When this year’s rankings were released, Kiplinger’s noted that the schools on the list “combine outstanding value with a first-class education.”

“Independent publications continue to recognize SUNY campuses for providing access to an affordable, high-quality education,” said Ryan. “Magazine rankings help focus attention on the great work done on our campuses, but I would urge prospective students and their parents to visit our campuses and meet our current faculty, staff and students and then make up their minds about SUNY.”

SUNY shares the highest number of campuses to be recognized by the list with the state of California, both of which have nine campuses listed. Next highest on the list are Virginia, with six campuses; Florida, with five campuses, and Washington and Texas, both with three campuses. 

Binghamton University and Geneseo were also ranked first and second, respectively, for offering the best value in public colleges to out-of-state residents.

Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur said, “Binghamton offers an excellent education at a reasonable price, and I am pleased that the University has received national recognition for its quality education. This gives the University more opportunities to attract talented students to join our vibrant campus community.”

"The Kiplinger's rankings once again confirm the quality of a Geneseo education," said SUNY Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl. "They are a reflection of the synergy between an outstanding liberal arts faculty and the talented students we attract and a further indication of Geneseo's reputation as New York's public honors college."

In addition, Stony Brook University ranked 13^th for out-of-state residents and 35^th for in-state residents; and SUNY Fredonia ranked 39^th for out-of-state residents and 70^th for in-state residents.

The University at Albany and the University at Buffalo also made Kiplinger’s List, with rankings of 36^th and 67^th, and 46^th and 89^th for out-of-state residents and in-state residents, respectively. In addition, SUNY Oneonta ranked 56^th, SUNY Purchase ranked 63^rd, and SUNY Cortland rated 64^th for out-of-state residents, while all three were rated in the 90s for in-state residents.

SUNY tuition and fees are below the national average. According to the 2006 College Board annual survey, the national average for tuition and fees at public four-year institutions is $5,836, and the SUNY average is $5,416. Average tuition and fees at SUNY are far below those of New England, which are $7,658 per year; Middle States, at $6,860, and Midwestern States, which average $7,075.

In August 2006, U.S. News & World Report ranked Binghamton University (30^th), SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (43^rd), and Stony Brook University (45^th) as three of the Top 50 public national universities offering a doctoral degree, and the University at Buffalo 57^th in the nation among public universities. Binghamton University (74^th), SUNY ESF (93^rd), and Stony Brook University (97^th) were also ranked among the top 100 universities – public or private – in the nation.

In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Geneseo second and SUNY New Paltz ranked eighth among universities in the North offering a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 418,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses.