Colby College vs. Clarkson

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

Colby College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colby College (7.1% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colby College. Average net price is $16,219 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Colby College 91% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colby College $73,400 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Colby College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Colby College more selective
Colby College7.1%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colby College higher
Colby College1460-1550
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Colby College $16,187 less
Colby College$16,219
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $10,202 less
Colby College$69,600
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $10,202 less
Colby College$69,600
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Colby College +19 pts
Colby College91%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colby College +$2,600
Colby College$73,400
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colby College 19,187
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Colby College 1,360
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colby College 7.1%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colby College 46.2%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colby College 1510
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colby College 33
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colby College 3.86
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colby College A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colby College Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Colby College Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Colby College 1460-1550
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Colby College 32-34
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Colby College Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colby College Jan 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colby College $69,600
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Colby College $17,890
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Colby College $16,219
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Colby College $69,201
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colby College 45%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colby College 91%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colby College $73,400
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colby College 88%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colby College $19,345
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Colby College $200
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colby College 9:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colby College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Colby College Waterville, ME
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Colby College Remote Town
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colby College 2,412
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Colby College Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colby College #39
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,412 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 2% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,890 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Colby College than at Clarkson University (about $10,202 more per year; $69,600 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($69,201 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Colby College than at Clarkson (33 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colby College and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colby College average a 3.86 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($200 vs. $279).
  • More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (88% 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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