State University of New York at Binghamton - School of Management

“Close proximity to New York City,” an excellent “reputation for quality” (particularly in New York), “one of the best accounting programs in the nation,” and a small program size that ensures students won’t get lost in the crowd, are among the top reasons students give for choosing the MBA program at Binghamton University. It also doesn’t hurt that it “all comes with an extremely reasonable price tag,” with “cheap tuition” even for outof-state students.

The four-semester MBA program at Binghamton University (BU) employs “an extremely team-based approach” to education “that replicates real-world business in a way many other business programs do not,” students inform us. This is especially true in the first year, during which the program covers core essentials. One student explains, “The first year of the program requires students to stick with a set group of students to work on projects, presentations, papers, and cases. It can be difficult at times, but the lessons learned are crucial for the real world.” Full-time MBA students are also required to obtain an internship during the course of the program, which may be used toward fulfilling an elective course requirement. The school also offers a Fast Track Professional MBA in New York City (with classes taking place on Saturdays over the course of a year), and a Fast Track MBA to Binghamton undergraduates. The program allows them to earn both a BA and an MBA in five years, no small feat considering that a Binghamton MBA requires sixty-nine credits, “more than any other university.”

For a state school, BU provides excellent service and a “smart organizational system.” Students tell us that “the school really tries to adapt to the latest management concepts and ideals” and that administrators are “are diligent and available to help students with interviews and networking opportunities.” Most of the professors have been practitioners in their respective fields at one point or another, which means “the tone of the course matches the tone of the discipline and serves to address the gap between theory and practice that plagues weaker business programs.” The only knock on teachers is that “many are foreign,” so that “sometimes it is difficult to understand what is being said due to accents.” Most often, however, instructors “can communicate easily with the students.” Another asset to the program is that “the alumni that are in highly respected companies are great, and everyone really tries to pull for other Binghamton students.” “I have also interfaced with alumni on many occasions, gaining insights into investment banking and asset management,” says one student.

For a small program, Binghamton does a good job of bringing some major recruiters to its relatively remote location. One student informs us that “we have powerhouse recruiters from Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, the big four accounting, all the engineering firms, as well as many others. Without question, the recruiting at this school is on an incredible climb upwards. More and more powerhouse companies are coming to Binghamton.” Still, those here would like to see the school’s reputation grow at a faster rate, as “most rankings underestimate the potential on campus.” The Career Development Center offers counseling services, career workshops, resume-development services, resume- referral services, a career-resource library, and access to the alumni network.

Top employers of Binghamton MBAs include Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, and Target.

Many classes for the fall are held in the evenings at Binghamton’s “centralized campus,” which “leads to very long days, especially for those who also have part-time jobs” and hampers extracurricular involvement. As these “motivated” students progress through the program, however, the school offers “plenty opportunities to get involved on campus,” from the Finance Society to stock pitch and M&A competitions that allow students to “apply coursework to real-world topics and compete with fellow students in a constructive manner.” The latter “implements various activities throughout the year including coffee hours, open bars, networking events,” “horseback riding, bowling, etc.” There is also a wide range of work experience among students, which benefits those at all stages of their careers. “The breadth of industry knowledge in the program is very impressive and fosters meaningful class discussions that drive home course material,” says a student.

The city of Binghamton “has lots of things going for it besides the downtown bar scene. For one thing, there is a hometown hockey team and baseball team, an opera house, numerous playhouses, and theaters, too. We are also the carousel capital of the United States. Binghamton is ethnically diverse as well, and there are often ethnic festivals going on throughout the Southern Tier.” Also, “living expenses here are not much,” especially when compared to the cost of living in much of the rest of the state. The university also “has a great Division-I athletic department that provides exciting competitions for the students to attend,” and many do.