The measure of a valued, top-performing school covers a large variety of components. We can debate the quality of a college or university based on cost, completion rate, support structures, graduate salaries, and so much more. But thankfully, we have researchers and publishers who help collect this important data to help prospective students and parents make an educated decision on what school is best for their future.
For the sixth year in a row, CNN/MONEY has released their annual Best Colleges for Your Money list, based on an analysis of colleges throughout the United States. These colleges are initially selected based on a few important qualifications- having at least 500 students, sufficient data to be analyzed, financial stability, and a graduate rate at or above the median for its institutional category. 744 colleges met these qualifications this year and were then ranked by three equal components:
- Quality of education – calculated using graduation rates, standardized test scores, student-to-faculty ratios, financial difficulties, and number of Pell Grant recipients
- Affordability – calculated using net price of degree, affordability for low-income students, debt and ability to repay it, and loan repayment measures
- Outcomes – calculated based on graduates’ earnings and those earnings adjust by majors, as well as earnings 10 years after college entry, employment outcomes, job impact, and socio-economic mobility
For the second time this summer, SUNY colleges and universities have been recognized for great value. 23 of SUNY’s 30 four-year colleges were featured on the Best Colleges for Your Money list, 2 of which were in the top 50, and another 3 in the top 100. Listed below are the campuses featured, with their corresponding ranking:
33: Binghamton University
47: Stony Brook University
71: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
85: University at Albany
99: University at Buffalo
141: SUNY Cortland
159: SUNY New Paltz
182: SUNY Maritime College
188: College at Brockport
195: Farmingdale State College
224: SUNY Oneonta
256: SUNY Old Westbury
257: SUNY Geneseo
280: SUNY Plattsburgh
295: SUNY Oswego
343: SUNY Fredonia
473: Purchase College
483: SUNY College of Technology at Alfred State
490: SUNY Polytechnic Institute
598: SUNY Buffalo State College
636: SUNY Delhi
644: SUNY Potsdam
652: SUNY Cobleskill
In addition to the CNN/Money Best College Value rankings, the Princeton Review has released their 2020 list of The Best 385 Colleges based on academics/administration, student life, and campus culture, and SUNY schools were represented here too.
By implementing an online survey, the Princeton Review is able to survey tens of thousands of college students attending campuses throughout the country. After the survey collection is complete, responses (which average 359 students/campus) are tallied and analyzed, and the team comes up with rankings for best colleges.
SUNY is proud to have multiple campuses featured on the 2020 list.
- SUNY Geneseo
- Binghamton University
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Purchase College
- Stony Brook University
SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson shined a light on all the recent rankings heaping praise on SUNY schools and what they could mean to all students. “SUNY campuses are celebrating well-earned recognition for being among the best in the nation for the quality, value, and performance of their academics,” she said. “My hope is that prospective and returning students will take full advantage of SUNY’s individualized educational approach to prepare them to lead productive and rewarding lives as part of a caring and sustainable democratic society.”
