Clarkson vs. Drexel

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

Clarkson University
Drexel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 79.4%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $42,801 at Drexel.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Drexel 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Drexel $77,400 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Drexel University
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Drexel79.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Drexel higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Drexel1240-1440
Average net price
Clarkson $10,395 less
Clarkson$32,406
Drexel$42,801
In-state tuition
Clarkson $3,014 less
Clarkson$59,398
Drexel$62,412
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $3,014 less
Clarkson$59,398
Drexel$62,412
Graduation rate
Clarkson +4 pts
Clarkson72%
Drexel68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drexel +$6,600
Clarkson$70,800
Drexel$77,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Drexel 37,314
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Drexel 29,642
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Drexel 79.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Drexel 8.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Drexel 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Drexel 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Drexel 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Drexel A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Drexel Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Drexel
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Drexel 1240-1440
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Drexel 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Drexel Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Drexel Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Drexel $18,096
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Drexel $42,801
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Drexel $35,051
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Drexel 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Drexel 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Drexel $77,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Drexel 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Drexel $26,243
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Drexel $271
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Drexel 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Drexel
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Drexel Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Drexel Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Drexel 21,153
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Drexel Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Drexel #118

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 0.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($18,096 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at Drexel than at Clarkson University (about $3,014 more per year; $62,412 vs. $59,398).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at Drexel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($46,528 vs. $35,051).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Drexel than at Clarkson (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Drexel.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Drexel (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $757 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,243 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($271 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 77%).

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

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