Clarkson vs. Vassar

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

Clarkson University
Vassar College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vassar (18.6% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1500 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Vassar. Average net price is $29,981 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Clarkson 72% vs Vassar 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Vassar $58,400 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Vassar College
Acceptance rate
Vassar more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Vassar18.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Vassar higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Vassar1450-1550
Average net price
Vassar $2,425 less
Clarkson$32,406
Vassar$29,981
In-state tuition
Clarkson $11,632 less
Clarkson$59,398
Vassar$71,030
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $11,632 less
Clarkson$59,398
Vassar$71,030
Graduation rate
Vassar +19 pts
Clarkson72%
Vassar91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$12,400
Clarkson$70,800
Vassar$58,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Vassar 12,447
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Vassar 2,311
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Vassar 18.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Vassar 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Vassar 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Vassar 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Vassar 3.86
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Vassar A
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Vassar Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Vassar Very High
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Vassar 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Vassar 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Vassar Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Vassar Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Vassar $71,030
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Vassar $18,240
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Vassar $29,981
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Vassar $57,443
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Vassar 55%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Vassar 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Vassar $58,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Vassar 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Vassar $15,780
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Vassar $163
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Vassar 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Vassar
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • English and Literature (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Vassar Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Vassar Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Vassar 2,462
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Vassar Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Vassar #46

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,462 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 0.1% lower than at Clarkson University ($18,240 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at Vassar than at Clarkson University (about $11,632 more per year; $71,030 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($57,443 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Vassar than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Vassar.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Vassar average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,220 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($163 vs. $279).
  • More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (92% 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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