The Princeton Review recently applauded Binghamton University students for their choice of college by ranking BU fourth among best value public colleges for 2009.

The colleges were ranked by student opinions, the cost, the financial aid awarded and academics. They were then split into two groups of 50, public and private, all of which are carefully factored together and weighed by the Review.

“We collect them [the student reviews] through surveys every year, which often goes into certain rankings for the books we have published,” said Ben Zelevansky, the director of data collection for the Princeton Review. “We ask how happy they are with their financial aid package, are their teachers approachable, etc.”

A reasonable cost for college is most likely on the minds of many, given the faltering economy in recent months.

Despite tuition increases, BU has still seen a strong number of applicants. According to statistics at USA Today’s Web site, Binghamton had 25,242 students apply last year. During the fall semester, admissions reported a 50 percent increase in applications from that time last year. The University also boasts a low after-college debt averaging at $14,530.

“We attract exceptional students and due to the outstanding efforts of our faculty and staff, our graduates succeed and become leaders in many fields,” said Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur.

BU was the only SUNY school to rank in the top 100 this year. In addition, BU has also made a similar list, Kiplinger’s, as the best value for out-of-state students and the seventh best for New Yorkers. BU also previously made the Princeton Review’s Honor Roll list of schools for its “Green Rating,” or its dedication to the safety of the environment.

The Princeton Review is a New York City educational service known for its test-prep courses and school admission, which partnered up with USA Today, the nation’s top-selling newspaper, to publish the “Best Value Colleges of 2009.”

This was the first time that the two had teamed up to publish these rankings. Previously, the Princeton Review had focused on creating books such as the “Best 368 Colleges.”

“We decided we weren’t going to publish a book this year, but we realized we had a lot of valuable information, especially with the economic times,” Zelevansky said. “We spoke with USA Today, and they thought it was a great idea as well, and that’s how it got started.”