Clarkson vs. ONU

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

Clarkson University
Ohio Northern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: ONU (74.4% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1290 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: ONU. Average net price is $25,941 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs ONU 65%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs ONU $71,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Ohio Northern University
Acceptance rate
ONU more selective
Clarkson77.4%
ONU74.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ONU higher
Clarkson1200-1390
ONU1175-1400
Average net price
ONU $6,465 less
Clarkson$32,406
ONU$25,941
In-state tuition
ONU $19,598 less
Clarkson$59,398
ONU$39,800
Out-of-state tuition
ONU $19,598 less
Clarkson$59,398
ONU$39,800
Graduation rate
Clarkson +7 pts
Clarkson72%
ONU65%
Median earnings (10 years)
ONU +$400
Clarkson$70,800
ONU$71,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • ONU 4,640
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • ONU 3,452
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • ONU 74.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • ONU 19.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • ONU 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • ONU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • ONU 3.78
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • ONU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • ONU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • ONU Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ONU 1175-1400
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • ONU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • ONU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • ONU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • ONU $39,800
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • ONU $39,800
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • ONU $14,604
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • ONU $25,941
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • ONU $27,696
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • ONU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • ONU 65%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • ONU $71,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • ONU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • ONU $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • ONU $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • ONU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • ONU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • ONU Ada, OH
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • ONU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • ONU 3,140
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • ONU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • ONU #228

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clarkson University is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 3,140 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 20% lower than at Clarkson University ($14,604 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.2% higher at Clarkson than at Ohio Northern University (about $19,598 more per year; $59,398 vs. $39,800).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 68% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($46,528 vs. $27,696).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Clarkson than at ONU (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and ONU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at ONU (3.78).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio Northern University and Clarkson graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Ohio Northern University and Clarkson graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 82%).

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

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