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Clarkson University
Most applicants get into Clarkson University — 77.4% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Clarkson University anchors the college town of Potsdam, NY, where the private campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering, where graduates median $107,790 four years out. Faculty pay averages $136,284 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,196 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 84.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1198 and 1390 — above the NY middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Clarkson University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Clarkson University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1198–1390 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Clarkson University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 593 | 640 | 690 |
| SAT Math | 605 | 660 | 700 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 29 | 31 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Clarkson University received 7,347 applications and admitted 5,669 (77.2%), with 608 enrolling.
How Clarkson University compares
| Clarkson University | New York median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 77.4% | 70.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $59,398 | $17,408 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $89,696 | $60,236 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Clarkson University student earns $89,696 — 49% above the New York median of $60,236 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Clarkson University lists tuition at $59,398 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Clarkson University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $59,398 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Clarkson University enrolls 2,196 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Clarkson University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
74.9% of Clarkson University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 20 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $59,398 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Clarkson University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $107,790 |
| Computer Science | $103,132 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $97,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,614 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $93,152 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $93,132 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $91,066 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,286 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $88,793 |
| Civil Engineering | $82,387 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $77,891 |
| Biology, General | $77,791 |
| Psychology, General | $73,359 |
Median earnings for these 13 Clarkson University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $89,696 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 23 additional Clarkson University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Clarkson University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1198–1390 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 77.4% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Clarkson University's acceptance rate?
77.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,669 admitted from 7,347 applicants.
How much does Clarkson University cost?
At Clarkson University, published tuition is $59,398 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Clarkson University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Clarkson University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $89,696 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New York
- Canisius University — 72.4% admitted
- Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital — 77.8% admitted
- CUNY City College — 60% admitted
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center — 68.5% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.