Clarkson vs. Swarthmore

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

Clarkson University
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Clarkson University Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $9,937 less
Clarkson$32,406
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Clarkson $6,096 less
Clarkson$59,398
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $6,096 less
Clarkson$59,398
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +23 pts
Clarkson72%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$5,000
Clarkson$70,800
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Clarkson and Swarthmore with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Clarkson Check my chances at Swarthmore
  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 10.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,252 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at Swarthmore than at Clarkson University (about $6,096 more per year; $65,494 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 32.5% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($61,634 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Swarthmore than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 86%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Clarkson University
Swarthmore College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges