In New York, opportunities for education are boundless. From the vibrant arts and culture on every corner to cutting-edge research hubs stretching from Manhattan to Montauk, there’s no better launchpad than our iconic city and the surrounding state.
For many young people, choosing a college is one of the most pivotal decisions of their early lives. While the traditional “Ancient Eight” have long dominated the conversation, the landscape of prestige is beginning to shift.
With Forbes recently unveiling its “New Ivies” list, buzz around rising academic powerhouses is everywhere. And in 2024, one New York institution earned a coveted spot in the spotlight.
Binghamton University made history as the only school in the state to land on the “Public Ivies” list, earning national recognition.
In total, Forbes identified 20 standout schools—10 public and 10 private—that are increasingly seen as Ivy League rivals. These institutions were selected for their strong test scores, competitive admissions, and reputations among hiring managers for producing top-tier graduates.
Why Binghamton Earned the Title
The 2024 designation was rooted in a specific formula of success that Binghamton has perfected over the years. Several factors made it a standout:
- Employer Demand: Surveys of C-suite executives and hiring managers showed that Binghamton graduates were among the most sought-after in the Northeast, particularly in finance, accounting, and engineering.
- Academic Selectivity: With an acceptance rate that had plummeted to roughly 37% and SAT scores averaging near 1480, it rivaled the selectivity of many private elite colleges.
- Research Power: As an R1 research institution, the school was recognized for its pioneering work in clean energy and battery technology—a major draw for the tech industry.
- The Value Proposition: Students were graduating with significantly lower debt (averaging under $8,000 for many) compared to the $90,000-a-year price tags of private competitors.
2026’s New Ivy List
Private:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Emory University
- Georgetown University
- Northwestern University
- University of Notre Dame
- Rice University
- Tufts University
- Vanderbilt University
- Washington University in St Louis
Public:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- United States Air Force Academy
- University of Florida
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Michigan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Purdue University
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
- William & Mary
