Clarkson vs. Penn

Clarkson University and University of Pennsylvania side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
University of Pennsylvania

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Penn (5.4% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn. Average net price is $23,570 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Penn 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Penn $123,600 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University University of Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate
Penn more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Penn5.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Penn1510-1570
Average net price
Penn $8,836 less
Clarkson$32,406
Penn$23,570
In-state tuition
Clarkson $9,288 less
Clarkson$59,398
Penn$68,686
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $9,288 less
Clarkson$59,398
Penn$68,686
Graduation rate
Penn +24 pts
Clarkson72%
Penn96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn +$52,800
Clarkson$70,800
Penn$123,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Penn 65,226
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Penn 3,523
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Penn 5.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Penn 68%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Penn 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Penn 35
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Penn 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Penn A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Penn Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Penn Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Penn 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Penn 34-36
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Penn Required
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Penn $68,686
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Penn $68,686
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Penn $19,174
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Penn $23,570
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Penn $65,458
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Penn 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Penn 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Penn $123,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Penn 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Penn $20,633
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Penn $213
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Penn 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Penn
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Penn Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Penn Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Penn 29,109
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Penn Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Penn #23

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 4.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,252 vs. $19,174).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at Penn than at Clarkson University (about $9,288 more per year; $68,686 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 40.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($65,458 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Penn than at Clarkson (35 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Clarkson, required at Penn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Penn average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 68% at Penn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($213 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 84%).

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

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