Clarkson vs. Columbia

Clarkson University and Columbia University in the City of New York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
Columbia University in the City of New York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Columbia 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Columbia $107,600 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Columbia4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Columbia1510-1580
Average net price
Columbia $9,886 less
Clarkson$32,406
Columbia$22,520
In-state tuition
Clarkson $12,447 less
Clarkson$59,398
Columbia$71,845
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $12,447 less
Clarkson$59,398
Columbia$71,845
Graduation rate
Columbia +21 pts
Clarkson72%
Columbia93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$36,800
Clarkson$70,800
Columbia$107,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Columbia 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Columbia Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Columbia $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Columbia #22

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,580 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Columbia than at Clarkson University (about $12,447 more per year; $71,845 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 44% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($67,010 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Columbia than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Columbia.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 76%).

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

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