Emerson vs. Clarkson

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

Emerson College
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $21,026 less
Emerson$53,432
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Emerson $2,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $2,342 less
Emerson$57,056
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Emerson +9 pts
Emerson81%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$21,600
Emerson$49,200
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 12.8% lower than at Emerson College ($18,252 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Clarkson than at Emerson College (about $2,342 more per year; $59,398 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($46,528 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Emerson than at Clarkson (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 80%).

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

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