Clarkson vs. Alfred University vs. RIT

Should I go to Clarkson University or Alfred University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarkson or Alfred University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Clarkson University vs. Alfred University vs. Rochester Institute of Technology comparison
Clarkson University Alfred University Rochester Institute of Technology College 4
Clarkson University Alfred University Rochester Institute of Technology
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Overview

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Location Potsdam, NY Alfred, NY Rochester, NY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,603 1,843 16,863
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #183 #292 #182
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarkson.edu alfred.edu rit.edu
Team Colors                              

Costs

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Tuition (In State) $56,642 $38,270 $56,136
Tuition (Out of State) $56,642 $38,270 $56,136
Room & Board $17,016 $14,240 $15,516
Avg Net Price $33,192 $26,127 $39,753
Avg Grant Aid $43,097 $28,371 $31,931
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99% 99%

Admission

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Applied 7,347 7,761 24,269
Admitted 5,669 3,751 17,328
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 48.3% 71.4%
Enrolled % 10.7% 11.5% 17.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.4 3.7
Typical High School Grades A- B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 26/31 24/31 29/33
SAT Range 1198/1390 1100/1280 1280/1460
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Feb 1, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Engineering Technology (11%)

Outcomes

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Graduation Rate 72% 60% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $70,800 $45,700 $64,900
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 73% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279 $289

Diversity

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
% Men 17% 6% 10%
% Women 13% 17% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium Medium
HBCU No No No
% White 84% 66% 66%
% Black 2% 9% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3% 3%
% International 3% 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 10% 5%

Students

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
% In-State 65% 72% 45%
% Out-of-State 29% 20% 52%

Campus

 Clarkson Alfred University RIT
Campus Housing Yes Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No Yes
Daycare Facility No No Yes
Learn More Details Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clarkson University is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 1,843 students)

Clarkson vs. Alfred University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Alfred University?

  • Clarkson University is 48% more expensive to attend than Alfred University for in-state tuition ($56,642.00 vs. $38,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48% higher at Clarkson than Alfred University ($56,642.00 vs. $38,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alfred University than Clarkson ($26,127 vs. $33,192)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alfred University are 19.5% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($14,240 vs. $17,016)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Alfred University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 51.9% larger than aid received Alfred University ($43,097 vs. $28,371)

Clarkson vs. Alfred University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Alfred University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alfred University or Clarkson .

  • The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 141 points higher than at Alfred University (1057)
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Alfred University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Alfred University (3.4)
  • Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Alfred University (48.3%)

Clarkson vs. Alfred University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarkson or Alfred University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Alfred University and Clarkson.

  • The graduation rate at Clarkson is higher than Alfred University (72% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $25,100 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $45,700)
  • Alfred University and Clarkson graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Alfred University and Clarkson graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alfred University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/