Harvard vs. Clarkson

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

Harvard University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Harvard $14,881 less
Harvard$17,525
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $2,278 less
Harvard$61,676
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $2,278 less
Harvard$61,676
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Harvard +25 pts
Harvard97%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$65,900
Harvard$136,700
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 13.9% lower than at Harvard University ($18,252 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Harvard than at Clarkson University (about $2,278 more per year; $61,676 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Harvard University (100% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 46.2% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,015 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Harvard than at Clarkson (35 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($67 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 70%).

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

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