Northeastern vs. Clarkson

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

Northeastern University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern (5.2% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $34,207 at Northeastern.
  • Graduation: Northeastern 77% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern $69,500 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Northeastern University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern more selective
Northeastern5.2%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern higher
Northeastern1440-1540
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $1,801 less
Northeastern$34,207
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $6,764 less
Northeastern$66,162
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $6,764 less
Northeastern$66,162
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Northeastern +5 pts
Northeastern77%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$1,300
Northeastern$69,500
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Northeastern and Clarkson with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Northeastern Check my chances at Clarkson
  • Applied
  • Northeastern 98,425
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern 5,133
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern 5.2%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern 53.8%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern 1490
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern 3.91
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern 1440-1540
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern 33-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern Jan 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern $66,162
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern $19,580
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern $34,207
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern $50,421
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern 66%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern 77%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern $69,500
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern 79%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern $27,875
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern $288
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern 16:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern
    • Business (25%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern Boston, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Northeastern Large City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern 32,553
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Northeastern Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern #128
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 6.8% lower than at Northeastern University ($18,252 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.4% higher at Northeastern than at Clarkson University (about $6,764 more per year; $66,162 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Northeastern University (100% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($50,421 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Northeastern than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northeastern and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northeastern average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Clarkson University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,875).
  • Among borrowers, Clarkson graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($279 vs. $288).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern 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.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Northeastern University
Clarkson University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges