Clarkson vs. Skidmore College

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

Clarkson University
Skidmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Skidmore College (21.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1410 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $32,406 at Clarkson vs $31,187 at Skidmore College. Skidmore College in-state tuition is about $7,892 more per year.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Skidmore College 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Skidmore College $54,400 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Skidmore College
Acceptance rate
Skidmore College more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Skidmore College21.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Skidmore College higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Skidmore College1340-1480
Average net price
About even
Clarkson$32,406
Skidmore College$31,187
In-state tuition
Clarkson $7,892 less
Clarkson$59,398
Skidmore College$67,290
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $7,892 less
Clarkson$59,398
Skidmore College$67,290
Graduation rate
Skidmore College +12 pts
Clarkson72%
Skidmore College84%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$16,400
Clarkson$70,800
Skidmore College$54,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Skidmore College 11,889
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Skidmore College 2,503
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Skidmore College 21.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Skidmore College 26.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Skidmore College 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Skidmore College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Skidmore College 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Skidmore College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Skidmore College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Skidmore College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Skidmore College 1340-1480
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Skidmore College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Skidmore College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Skidmore College $67,290
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Skidmore College $17,940
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Skidmore College $31,187
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Skidmore College $54,083
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Skidmore College 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Skidmore College 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Skidmore College $54,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Skidmore College 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Skidmore College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Skidmore College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Skidmore College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Skidmore College
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (16%)
    • Business (10%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Skidmore College Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Skidmore College 2,704
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Skidmore College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Skidmore College #54

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Skidmore College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,704 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Skidmore College is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Skidmore College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Skidmore College are 1.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,940 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Skidmore College than at Clarkson University (about $7,892 more per year; $67,290 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Skidmore College (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($54,083 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Skidmore College than at Clarkson (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Skidmore College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Skidmore College (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Skidmore College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (88% 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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