Binghamton University and UMBC have been named two of the 100 "Best Value Colleges" for 2009 by The Princeton Review. The results were released by USA TODAY on June 23.

Binghamton is listed among the Top 10 Public Universities with a ranking of No. 4. The report also ranks the top 10 private institutions. The remaining schools in the Top 100, which include UMBC, are listed alphabetically.

"In tough economic times, students and families need more than ever to make every education dollar count," according to the USATODAY.com site. "A new partnership between The Princeton Review and USA TODAY aims to help." The project goes on to say: "The Princeton Review, the education services and test prep company, in its list of 100 "Best Value" Colleges for 2009, shines a light on schools that provide high-quality academics at a reasonable price - either by keeping sticker prices in line, or by offsetting high costs with great financial aid packages."

Binghamton, a member of the State University of New York system, has 11,000 undergraduates. UMBC, with 9,304 students, is a member of the University System of Maryland.

The report states that "Binghamton makes its students a very attractive promise: It is a top-rated school that is more competitive than most of the Northeast's private schools, and available at a state-school price. For the most part, Binghamton has delivered on its promise."

It cites UMBC as a "medium-sized, public research univerisy that offers some of the best science and technology resources to be found on the Atlantic seaboard."

Binghamton and UMBC are two of the nine members of America East Conference. 

America East Conference: Developing Leaders in Academics, Athletics and Leadership.