Amherst vs. Clarkson

Amherst College and Clarkson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Amherst $13,357 less
Amherst$19,049
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $11,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $11,082 less
Amherst$70,480
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Amherst +24 pts
Amherst96%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$11,200
Amherst$82,000
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clarkson University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 0.8% lower than at Amherst College ($18,252 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Amherst than at Clarkson University (about $11,082 more per year; $70,480 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 47.4% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,591 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Amherst than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($134 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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