Clarkson vs. Union College

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

Clarkson University
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Union College (43.9% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Union College
Acceptance rate
Union College more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Union College higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Clarkson $9,731 less
Clarkson$32,406
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Clarkson $9,641 less
Clarkson$59,398
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $9,641 less
Clarkson$59,398
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Union College +14 pts
Clarkson72%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Union College +$3,400
Clarkson$70,800
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 6.8% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,010 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Union College than at Clarkson University (about $9,641 more per year; $69,039 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Union College students ($46,528 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Union College than at Clarkson (31 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College and Clarkson graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Union College and Clarkson graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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