Clarkson vs. Buffalo State College

Clarkson University and SUNY Buffalo State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
SUNY Buffalo State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Buffalo State College (72.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Buffalo State College. Average net price is $12,023 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Buffalo State College 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Buffalo State College $40,700 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University SUNY Buffalo State University
Acceptance rate
Buffalo State College more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Buffalo State College72.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Buffalo State College980-1240
Average net price
Buffalo State College $20,383 less
Clarkson$32,406
Buffalo State College$12,023
In-state tuition
Buffalo State College $50,865 less
Clarkson$59,398
Buffalo State College$8,533
Out-of-state tuition
Buffalo State College $39,745 less
Clarkson$59,398
Buffalo State College$19,653
Graduation rate
Clarkson +25 pts
Clarkson72%
Buffalo State College47%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$30,100
Clarkson$70,800
Buffalo State College$40,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Buffalo State College 18,219
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Buffalo State College 13,290
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Buffalo State College 72.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Buffalo State College 9.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Buffalo State College 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Buffalo State College
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Buffalo State College 2.84
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Buffalo State College B-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Buffalo State College Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Buffalo State College Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Buffalo State College 980-1240
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Buffalo State College
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Buffalo State College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Buffalo State College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Buffalo State College $8,533
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Buffalo State College $19,653
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Buffalo State College $15,986
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Buffalo State College $12,023
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Buffalo State College $11,697
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Buffalo State College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Buffalo State College 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Buffalo State College $40,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Buffalo State College 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Buffalo State College $21,409
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Buffalo State College $221
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Buffalo State College 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Buffalo State College
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Buffalo State College Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Buffalo State College Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Buffalo State College 6,188
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Buffalo State College Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Buffalo State College #545

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Buffalo State University are 12.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,986 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 202.2% higher at Clarkson than at SUNY Buffalo State University (about $39,745 more per year; $59,398 vs. $19,653).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at SUNY Buffalo State University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 297.8% larger than aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students ($46,528 vs. $11,697).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Buffalo State College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.96 higher than at Buffalo State College (2.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $5,591 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,409 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($221 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 59%).

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

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