Clarkson vs. Colgate

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

Clarkson University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $3,670 less
Clarkson$32,406
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Clarkson $10,908 less
Clarkson$59,398
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $10,908 less
Clarkson$59,398
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +20 pts
Clarkson72%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$4,500
Clarkson$70,800
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 3.5% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,610 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Colgate than at Clarkson University (about $10,908 more per year; $70,306 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Colgate University (100% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 25.4% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($58,334 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Colgate than at Clarkson (33 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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