UMass vs. Clarkson

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UMass (59.7% admitted vs 77.4%). Typical SAT 1410 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: UMass. Average net price is $22,948 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Graduation: UMass 67% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UMass $55,200 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Massachusetts Amherst Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
UMass more selective
UMass59.7%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UMass higher
UMass1310-1500
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
UMass $9,458 less
UMass$22,948
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
UMass $41,626 less
UMass$17,772
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
UMass $18,949 less
UMass$40,449
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
Clarkson +5 pts
UMass67%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$15,600
UMass$55,200
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UMass 50,261
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • UMass 30,020
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • UMass 59.7%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UMass 17.9%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UMass 1410
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • UMass 31
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • UMass 3.99
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • UMass A
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UMass Exceptional
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • UMass Low
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • UMass 1310-1500
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • UMass 30-33
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • UMass Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UMass Jan 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UMass $17,772
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UMass $40,449
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • UMass $16,710
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • UMass $22,948
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • UMass $13,110
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UMass 81%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • UMass 67%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UMass $55,200
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UMass 76%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UMass $24,000
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UMass $248
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UMass 17:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • UMass
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • UMass Amherst, MA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • UMass Town Fringe
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UMass 31,726
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • UMass Public 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UMass #169
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 8.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,710 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at Clarkson than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $18,949 more per year; $59,398 vs. $40,449).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 254.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($46,528 vs. $13,110).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at UMass than at Clarkson (31 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UMass and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UMass average a 3.99 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at Clarkson (3.8).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($248 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 76%).

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

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