Clarkson vs. Lehigh

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

Clarkson University
Lehigh University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lehigh (25.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $34,154 at Lehigh.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Lehigh 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Lehigh $89,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Lehigh University
Acceptance rate
Lehigh more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Lehigh25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lehigh higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Lehigh1370-1500
Average net price
Clarkson $1,748 less
Clarkson$32,406
Lehigh$34,154
In-state tuition
Clarkson $5,582 less
Clarkson$59,398
Lehigh$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $5,582 less
Clarkson$59,398
Lehigh$64,980
Graduation rate
Lehigh +15 pts
Clarkson72%
Lehigh87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$18,400
Clarkson$70,800
Lehigh$89,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Lehigh High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Lehigh $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Lehigh #53

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 5.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,220 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Lehigh than at Clarkson University (about $5,582 more per year; $64,980 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($46,731 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Lehigh than at Clarkson (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Lehigh.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lehigh average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (89% 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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