Clarkson vs. Brown

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

Clarkson University
Brown University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Brown. Average net price is $26,256 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Brown 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Brown $87,600 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Brown University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Brown5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Brown1510-1580
Average net price
Brown $6,150 less
Clarkson$32,406
Brown$26,256
In-state tuition
Clarkson $12,014 less
Clarkson$59,398
Brown$71,412
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $12,014 less
Clarkson$59,398
Brown$71,412
Graduation rate
Brown +23 pts
Clarkson72%
Brown95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$16,800
Clarkson$70,800
Brown$87,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Brown 48,904
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Brown 2,638
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Brown 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Brown 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Brown 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Brown A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Brown Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Brown Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Brown 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Brown Required
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Brown $71,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Brown $71,412
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Brown $17,444
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Brown $26,256
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Brown $61,392
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Brown 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Brown 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Brown $87,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Brown 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Brown $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Brown $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Brown 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Brown 11,956
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Brown #11

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brown University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Brown University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 4.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,444 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at Brown than at Clarkson University (about $12,014 more per year; $71,412 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Brown University (100% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($61,392 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Brown than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Clarkson, required at Brown.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brown average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($155 vs. $279).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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