Clarkson vs. SPU

Should I go to Clarkson University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarkson or SPU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clarkson University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Clarkson University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Clarkson University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Clarkson SPU
Location Potsdam, NY Seattle, WA
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 3,719 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #220 #270
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarkson.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarkson SPU
Tuition (In State) $54,960 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $54,960 $36,504
Room & Board $16,744 $14,409
Avg Net Price $32,450 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $41,285 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Clarkson SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,594 3,895
Admitted 5,171 3,533
Acceptance Rate 78.4% 90.7%
Enrolled % 11.5% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/30 20/27
SAT Range 1190/1370 1080/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Jul 11, 2024

Academics

Clarkson SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Clarkson SPU
Graduation Rate 72% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $70,800 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $279 $264

Diversity

Clarkson SPU
% Men 64% 31%
% Women 36% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 61%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Clarkson SPU
% In-State 65% 71%
% Out-of-State 31% 26%

Campus

Clarkson SPU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clarkson University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,719 students vs. 3,118 students)

Clarkson vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or SPU?

  • Clarkson University is 50.6% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($54,960.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.6% higher at Clarkson than Seattle Pacific University ($54,960.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Clarkson ($26,549 vs. $32,450)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 16.2% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($14,409 vs. $16,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 62.8% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($41,285 vs. $25,359)

Clarkson vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or Clarkson .

  • The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 53 points higher than at SPU (1145)
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Clarkson (78.4%)

Clarkson vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarkson or SPU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SPU and Clarkson.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Clarkson University (74% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $20,400 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarkson graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Clarkson graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SPU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/