DU vs. Clarkson

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

University of Denver
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 77.8%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $45,451 at DU.
  • Graduation: DU 78% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DU $63,400 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Denver Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
DU77.8%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
DU higher
DU1240-1410
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $13,045 less
DU$45,451
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
Clarkson $2,000 less
DU$61,398
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
Clarkson $2,000 less
DU$61,398
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
DU +6 pts
DU78%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$7,400
DU$63,400
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DU 18,786
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • DU 14,618
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • DU 77.8%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DU 9.1%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DU 1330
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • DU 30
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • DU 3.72
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • DU A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DU Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • DU
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • DU 1240-1410
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • DU 28-33
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • DU Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DU Jan 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DU $61,398
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • DU $17,759
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • DU $45,451
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • DU $33,955
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DU 99%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • DU 78%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DU $63,400
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • DU 72%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DU $23,699
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • DU $245
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DU 9:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • DU
    • Business (42%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • DU Denver, CO
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • DU Large City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • DU 12,813
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • DU Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DU #86
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 2.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,759 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at DU than at Clarkson University (about $2,000 more per year; $61,398 vs. $59,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University of Denver (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 37% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($46,528 vs. $33,955).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at DU than at Clarkson (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DU and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at DU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($245 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 72%).

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

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