Clarkson vs. Purchase College

Clarkson University and SUNY at Purchase College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
SUNY at Purchase College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Purchase College (74% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1280 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Purchase College. Average net price is $18,211 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Purchase College 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Purchase College $40,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University SUNY at Purchase College
Acceptance rate
Purchase College more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Purchase College74%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Purchase College1185-1380
Average net price
Purchase College $14,195 less
Clarkson$32,406
Purchase College$18,211
In-state tuition
Purchase College $50,445 less
Clarkson$59,398
Purchase College$8,953
Out-of-state tuition
Purchase College $40,195 less
Clarkson$59,398
Purchase College$19,203
Graduation rate
Clarkson +16 pts
Clarkson72%
Purchase College56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$30,600
Clarkson$70,800
Purchase College$40,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Purchase College 7,845
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Purchase College 5,809
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Purchase College 74%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Purchase College 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Purchase College 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Purchase College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Purchase College 3.37
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Purchase College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Purchase College Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Purchase College Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Purchase College 1185-1380
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Purchase College 27-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Purchase College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Purchase College Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Purchase College $8,953
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Purchase College $19,203
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Purchase College $16,436
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Purchase College $18,211
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Purchase College $10,432
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Purchase College 72%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Purchase College 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Purchase College $40,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Purchase College 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Purchase College $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Purchase College $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Purchase College 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Purchase College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Purchase College Purchase, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Purchase College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Purchase College 3,333
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Purchase College Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Purchase College #351

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clarkson University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 3,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,436 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 209.3% higher at Clarkson than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $40,195 more per year; $59,398 vs. $19,203).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 346% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($46,528 vs. $10,432).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Clarkson students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Purchase College (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Purchase College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Purchase College (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 65%).

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

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