Clarkson vs. Hamilton College

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

Clarkson University
Hamilton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Hamilton College (13.6% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hamilton College. Average net price is $28,719 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Hamilton College 89%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Hamilton College $79,000 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Hamilton College
Acceptance rate
Hamilton College more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Hamilton College13.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Hamilton College higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Hamilton College1450-1550
Average net price
Hamilton College $3,687 less
Clarkson$32,406
Hamilton College$28,719
In-state tuition
Clarkson $9,562 less
Clarkson$59,398
Hamilton College$68,960
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $9,562 less
Clarkson$59,398
Hamilton College$68,960
Graduation rate
Hamilton College +17 pts
Clarkson72%
Hamilton College89%
Median earnings (10 years)
Hamilton College +$8,200
Clarkson$70,800
Hamilton College$79,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Hamilton College 8,531
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Hamilton College 1,162
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Hamilton College 13.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Hamilton College 39%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Hamilton College 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Hamilton College 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Hamilton College 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Hamilton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Hamilton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Hamilton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Hamilton College 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Hamilton College 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Hamilton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Hamilton College $68,960
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Hamilton College $17,510
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Hamilton College $28,719
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Hamilton College $55,511
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Hamilton College 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Hamilton College 89%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Hamilton College $79,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Hamilton College 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Hamilton College $15,760
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Hamilton College $162
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Hamilton College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Hamilton College
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Hamilton College Clinton, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Hamilton College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Hamilton College 2,031
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Hamilton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Hamilton College #26

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,031 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 4.1% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,510 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Hamilton College than at Clarkson University (about $9,562 more per year; $68,960 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Hamilton College (100% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 19.3% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($55,511 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Hamilton College than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Hamilton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Hamilton College average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $11,240 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($15,760 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($162 vs. $279).
  • More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (90% 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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