Clarkson vs. Penn State York

Clarkson University and Penn State York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
Penn State York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 97.4%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State York. Average net price is $18,887 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Penn State York 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Penn State York $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Penn State York
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Penn State York97.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Penn State York1050-1245
Average net price
Penn State York $13,519 less
Clarkson$32,406
Penn State York$18,887
In-state tuition
Penn State York $44,190 less
Clarkson$59,398
Penn State York$15,208
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State York $34,006 less
Clarkson$59,398
Penn State York$25,392
Graduation rate
Clarkson +27 pts
Clarkson72%
Penn State York45%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$15,500
Clarkson$70,800
Penn State York$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Penn State York 1,933
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Penn State York 1,883
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Penn State York 97.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Penn State York 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Penn State York 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Penn State York 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Penn State York -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Penn State York -
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Penn State York Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Penn State York
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Penn State York 1050-1245
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Penn State York 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Penn State York Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State York
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Penn State York $15,208
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Penn State York $25,392
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Penn State York $15,274
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Penn State York $18,887
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Penn State York $8,756
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Penn State York 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Penn State York 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Penn State York $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Penn State York 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Penn State York $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Penn State York $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Penn State York 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Penn State York
    • Business (32%)
    • Work and Family Studies (24%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Penn State York York, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Penn State York Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Penn State York 677
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Penn State York Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 677 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Penn State York 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 16.3% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,274 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 133.9% higher at Clarkson than at Penn State York (about $34,006 more per year; $59,398 vs. $25,392).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 431.4% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($46,528 vs. $8,756).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Clarkson than at Penn State York (28 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Penn State York.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State York graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State York graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 69%).

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

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