Clarkson vs. Cornell

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

Clarkson University
Cornell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Cornell 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Cornell $98,400 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Cornell University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Cornell8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Cornell1500-1570
Average net price
Cornell $6,045 less
Clarkson$32,406
Cornell$26,361
In-state tuition
Clarkson $9,916 less
Clarkson$59,398
Cornell$69,314
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $9,916 less
Clarkson$59,398
Cornell$69,314
Graduation rate
Cornell +21 pts
Clarkson72%
Cornell93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$27,600
Clarkson$70,800
Cornell$98,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Cornell 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Cornell 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Cornell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Cornell Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Cornell Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Cornell Required
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Cornell $61,779
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Cornell 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Cornell 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Cornell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Cornell $124
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Cornell Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Cornell #19

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 6.1% lower than at Cornell University ($18,252 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Cornell than at Clarkson University (about $9,916 more per year; $69,314 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($61,779 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Cornell than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Clarkson, required at Cornell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($124 vs. $279).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (87% 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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