Chapman vs. Clarkson

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

Chapman University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Chapman (65.4% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $47,902 at Chapman.
  • Graduation: Chapman 72% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Chapman $54,100 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Chapman University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Chapman more selective
Chapman65.4%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Chapman higher
Chapman1260-1440
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $15,496 less
Chapman$47,902
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $5,586 less
Chapman$64,984
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $5,586 less
Chapman$64,984
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Chapman +0 pts
Chapman72%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$16,700
Chapman$54,100
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Chapman 15,634
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Chapman 10,230
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Chapman 65.4%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Chapman 15.9%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Chapman 1350
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Chapman 29
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Chapman 3.7
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Chapman A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Chapman Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Chapman Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Chapman 1260-1440
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Chapman 28-31
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Chapman Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Chapman Jan 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Chapman $64,984
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Chapman $17,814
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Chapman $47,902
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Chapman $35,434
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Chapman 88%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Chapman 72%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Chapman $54,100
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Chapman 65%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Chapman $20,938
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Chapman $216
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Chapman 12:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Chapman
    • Visual and Performing Arts (27%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Chapman Orange, CA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Chapman Midsize City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Chapman 9,760
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Chapman Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Chapman #103
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Chapman University in Orange, CA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Chapman University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 2.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,814 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Chapman than at Clarkson University (about $5,586 more per year; $64,984 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Chapman University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($46,528 vs. $35,434).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Chapman than at Clarkson (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Chapman and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Chapman (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $6,062 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($20,938 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($216 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 65%).

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

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