Princeton vs. Clarkson

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

Princeton University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Princeton University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Princeton $17,093 less
Princeton$15,313
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $3,290 less
Princeton$62,688
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $3,290 less
Princeton$62,688
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Princeton +24 pts
Princeton96%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$43,100
Princeton$113,900
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 9.9% lower than at Princeton University ($18,252 vs. $20,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Princeton than at Clarkson University (about $3,290 more per year; $62,688 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 47.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,727 vs. $46,528).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Princeton than at Clarkson (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($77 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 83%).

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

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