Clarkson vs. City College of New York

Clarkson University and CUNY City College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
CUNY City College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: City College of New York (60% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: City College of New York. Average net price is $4,664 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs City College of New York 40%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs City College of New York $49,800 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University CUNY City College
Acceptance rate
City College of New York more selective
Clarkson77.4%
City College of New York60%
SAT range (middle 50%)
City College of New York higher
Clarkson1200-1390
City College of New York1070-1430
Average net price
City College of New York $27,742 less
Clarkson$32,406
City College of New York$4,664
In-state tuition
City College of New York $52,058 less
Clarkson$59,398
City College of New York$7,340
Out-of-state tuition
City College of New York $44,108 less
Clarkson$59,398
City College of New York$15,290
Graduation rate
Clarkson +32 pts
Clarkson72%
City College of New York40%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$21,000
Clarkson$70,800
City College of New York$49,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • City College of New York 34,322
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • City College of New York 20,600
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • City College of New York 60%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • City College of New York 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • City College of New York 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • City College of New York
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • City College of New York 3.2
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • City College of New York B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • City College of New York Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • City College of New York Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • City College of New York 1070-1430
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • City College of New York
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • City College of New York Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • City College of New York Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • City College of New York $7,340
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • City College of New York $15,290
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • City College of New York $18,840
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • City College of New York $4,664
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • City College of New York $9,763
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • City College of New York 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • City College of New York 40%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • City College of New York $49,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • City College of New York 52%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • City College of New York $11,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • City College of New York $117
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • City College of New York 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • City College of New York
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • City College of New York New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • City College of New York Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • City College of New York 15,544
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • City College of New York Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • City College of New York #313

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY City College is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 3.1% lower than at CUNY City College ($18,252 vs. $18,840).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 288.5% higher at Clarkson than at CUNY City College (about $44,108 more per year; $59,398 vs. $15,290).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at CUNY City College (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 376.6% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($46,528 vs. $9,763).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and City College of New York.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.6 higher than at City College of New York (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $15,600 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($11,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($117 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 52%).

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

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