Clarkson vs. Fordham

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

Clarkson University
Fordham University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Fordham (59.3% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $48,190 at Fordham.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Fordham 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Fordham $64,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Fordham University
Acceptance rate
Fordham more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Fordham59.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Fordham higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Fordham1320-1480
Average net price
Clarkson $15,784 less
Clarkson$32,406
Fordham$48,190
In-state tuition
Clarkson $5,517 less
Clarkson$59,398
Fordham$64,915
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $5,517 less
Clarkson$59,398
Fordham$64,915
Graduation rate
Fordham +6 pts
Clarkson72%
Fordham78%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$6,600
Clarkson$70,800
Fordham$64,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Fordham 43,364
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Fordham 25,719
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Fordham 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Fordham 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Fordham 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Fordham A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Fordham Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Fordham 1320-1480
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Fordham 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Fordham Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Fordham $24,090
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Fordham $48,190
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Fordham $35,988
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Fordham 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Fordham 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Fordham $64,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Fordham 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Fordham $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Fordham $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Fordham 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Fordham Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Fordham 16,150
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Fordham #133

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Fordham University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 24.2% lower than at Fordham University ($18,252 vs. $24,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at Fordham than at Clarkson University (about $5,517 more per year; $64,915 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Fordham University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 29.3% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($46,528 vs. $35,988).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Fordham than at Clarkson (31 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Fordham.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Fordham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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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