Clarkson vs. Gonzaga

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

Clarkson University
Gonzaga University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 81.7%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $40,117 at Gonzaga.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Gonzaga 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Gonzaga $61,600 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Gonzaga University
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Gonzaga81.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Gonzaga1190-1380
Average net price
Clarkson $7,711 less
Clarkson$32,406
Gonzaga$40,117
In-state tuition
Gonzaga $3,918 less
Clarkson$59,398
Gonzaga$55,480
Out-of-state tuition
Gonzaga $3,918 less
Clarkson$59,398
Gonzaga$55,480
Graduation rate
Gonzaga +11 pts
Clarkson72%
Gonzaga83%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$9,200
Clarkson$70,800
Gonzaga$61,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Gonzaga 8,759
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Gonzaga 7,155
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Gonzaga 81.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Gonzaga 17.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Gonzaga 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Gonzaga 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Gonzaga 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Gonzaga A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Gonzaga Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Gonzaga
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Gonzaga 1190-1380
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Gonzaga 27-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Gonzaga Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Gonzaga $55,480
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Gonzaga $15,730
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Gonzaga $40,117
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Gonzaga $33,390
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Gonzaga 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Gonzaga 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Gonzaga $61,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Gonzaga 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Gonzaga $26,394
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Gonzaga $272
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Gonzaga 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Gonzaga
    • Business (29%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Gonzaga Spokane, WA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Gonzaga Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Gonzaga 7,470
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Gonzaga Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Gonzaga #180

Comparable Facts

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

Gonzaga University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (7,470 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Gonzaga University is in Spokane, WA (Midsize City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gonzaga University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Gonzaga University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gonzaga University are 13.8% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,730 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Clarkson than at Gonzaga University (about $3,918 more per year; $59,398 vs. $55,480).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at Gonzaga University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 39.3% larger than aid received by Gonzaga University students ($46,528 vs. $33,390).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Gonzaga than at Clarkson (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Gonzaga.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Gonzaga (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 17.5% at Gonzaga.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gonzaga University graduates have a $606 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,394 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Gonzaga graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($272 vs. $279).
  • More Gonzaga graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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