Clarkson vs. U of R

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

Clarkson University
University of Rochester

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: U of R (40.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $40,462 at U of R.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs U of R 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs U of R $71,000 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University University of Rochester
Acceptance rate
U of R more selective
Clarkson77.4%
U of R40.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
U of R higher
Clarkson1200-1390
U of R1410-1540
Average net price
Clarkson $8,056 less
Clarkson$32,406
U of R$40,462
In-state tuition
Clarkson $7,682 less
Clarkson$59,398
U of R$67,080
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $7,682 less
Clarkson$59,398
U of R$67,080
Graduation rate
U of R +11 pts
Clarkson72%
U of R83%
Median earnings (10 years)
U of R +$200
Clarkson$70,800
U of R$71,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • U of R 21,384
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • U of R 8,570
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • U of R 40.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • U of R 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • U of R 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • U of R 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • U of R 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • U of R A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • U of R Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • U of R Low
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • U of R 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • U of R 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • U of R Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • U of R Jan 5, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • U of R $67,080
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • U of R $67,080
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • U of R $19,792
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • U of R $40,462
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • U of R $45,500
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • U of R 72%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • U of R 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • U of R $71,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • U of R 79%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • U of R $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • U of R $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • U of R 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • U of R
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • U of R Rochester, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • U of R Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • U of R 11,946
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • U of R Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • U of R #56

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 7.8% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,252 vs. $19,792).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at U of R than at Clarkson University (about $7,682 more per year; $67,080 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University of Rochester (100% vs. 72%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($46,528 vs. $45,500).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at U of R than at Clarkson (32 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and U of R.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at U of R (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($253 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 79%).

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

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