The future is lucrative for graduates of Binghamton University, according to Forbes Magazine’s “Top Public Colleges for Getting Rich,” which lists BU’s median salary for alumni as No. 11 in the nation, at $96,900.

The list is compiled using PayScale.com, an online tool which allows 13 million users to compare their salaries to others with similar jobs. Students that were not employed full time and those that went on to graduate school were excluded from the ranking.

“We’re pleased that our alumni are highly ranked for their earnings,” said Nancy Paul, director of the Career Development Center.

According to the ranking, BU students with less than five years of professional experience earn an average salary of $53,600. With 10 to 20 years of experience, however, the average salary goes up to $96,900.

The highest paid BU alums make $201,000, and 10 percent of graduates with 10 to 20 years of experience earn even more.

“Our graduates are well prepared and highly sought after by employers as a result of quality education, experience through internships, volunteer work and extracurricular activities,” Paul said.

She also said the recruitment trend has increased in recent years.

According to an Aug. 4 press release, employers that regularly recruit BU students include Lockheed Martin, EI; BAE Systems; Goldman Sachs; Ernst & Young; Microsoft; IBM and Enterprise.

“We have recruited nearly 80 employees from Binghamton University over the past three years,” stated Shelby Cohen, a member of the department of communications and public affairs at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego.

Rose Frierman, BU director of Alumni and Parent Operations, also attributes the success to skills students learned outside the classroom while still at school.

“We offer programs like NYC visits, where students can spend the day with alumni where they work and connect with them one-on-one,” Frierman said. “We really still try to keep it personal and intimate as much as we can.”

According to Paul and Frierman, it’s crucial for students to take advantage of different opportunities while still in school.

“Choosing a career path starts the minute students set foot on campus, and the earlier students can start exploring opportunities and honing their personal skill set, the more effective they will be in the job market when they graduate,” Paul said.

The most common majors at BU are English, psychology, economics, biology and political science, according to Paul. Career interests vary, but popular areas include law, investment banking, public accounting, medicine and human services.

The Alumni Career Network and the CDC are among the many resources available to students as they prepare for the future.

According to Frierman, the Alumni Career Network is a searchable online database of over 3,500 BU graduates who are willing to provide career information to students and alumni.

“The Network is not an employment or placement program; rather, it is designed to help students connect with alumni to tap into their talents, insight and connections,” she said.

In the same vein, the CDC can assist students in exploring career interests, finding internships, applying to graduate school and finding full-time work.

“Take advantage of all that is offered through CDC!” Paul urged.

Further information on the resources, programs and services offered by the CDC is available at cdc.binghamton.edu.