Clarkson vs. SUNY Cortland

Clarkson University and State University of New York at Cortland side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
State University of New York at Cortland

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SUNY Cortland (59.8% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1170 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: SUNY Cortland. Average net price is $19,847 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs SUNY Cortland 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs SUNY Cortland $47,300 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University State University of New York at Cortland
Acceptance rate
SUNY Cortland more selective
Clarkson77.4%
SUNY Cortland59.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
SUNY Cortland1090-1240
Average net price
SUNY Cortland $12,559 less
Clarkson$32,406
SUNY Cortland$19,847
In-state tuition
SUNY Cortland $50,524 less
Clarkson$59,398
SUNY Cortland$8,874
Out-of-state tuition
SUNY Cortland $40,614 less
Clarkson$59,398
SUNY Cortland$18,784
Graduation rate
Clarkson +5 pts
Clarkson72%
SUNY Cortland67%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$23,500
Clarkson$70,800
SUNY Cortland$47,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • SUNY Cortland 17,571
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • SUNY Cortland 10,505
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • SUNY Cortland 59.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • SUNY Cortland 13.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • SUNY Cortland 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • SUNY Cortland 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • SUNY Cortland 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • SUNY Cortland A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • SUNY Cortland Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • SUNY Cortland Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • SUNY Cortland 1090-1240
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • SUNY Cortland 22-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • SUNY Cortland Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • SUNY Cortland
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • SUNY Cortland $8,874
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • SUNY Cortland $18,784
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • SUNY Cortland $15,560
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • SUNY Cortland $19,847
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • SUNY Cortland $8,254
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • SUNY Cortland 63%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • SUNY Cortland 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • SUNY Cortland $47,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • SUNY Cortland 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • SUNY Cortland $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • SUNY Cortland $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • SUNY Cortland 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • SUNY Cortland
    • Education (41%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (16%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • SUNY Cortland Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • SUNY Cortland 6,938
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • SUNY Cortland Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • SUNY Cortland #422

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 14.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,560 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 216.2% higher at Clarkson than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $40,614 more per year; $59,398 vs. $18,784).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 463.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($46,528 vs. $8,254).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Clarkson than at SUNY Cortland (28 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Clarkson, test-free at SUNY Cortland.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 75%).

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

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