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    Clarkson University

    clarkson.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Potsdam, New York. There are currently 2,587 undergraduates at Clarkson and the school’s acceptance rate is 78%. The tuition at Clarkson is $56,258.

    Clarkson University

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 2,587

    Pell Grant 21%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 1%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%

    Percent Male / Female 69% / 31%

    Ethnic Diversity at Clarkson

    80% White

    6% Hispanic

    3% Multiracial

    3% Black

    3% Asian / Pacific Islander

    3% International / Non-Citizen

    1% Unknown

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 14:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 73%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Engineering

    59%

    59% of graduates

    Engineering

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Psychology

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Communications Technologies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $77,058

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $45,944

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $31,114

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $56,258
    Books & Supplies
    $1,560
    Room & Board
    $16,744
    Other
    $2,496

    Estimated Cost:

    $77,058

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Clarkson is $77,058. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Clarkson would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Using State Grants at Clarkson

    If you are a New York State resident considering Clarkson, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.

    Clarkson University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Clarkson University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Clarkson University is 002699.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at Clarkson University

    21% of students at Clarkson University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Clarkson University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Clarkson students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Clarkson University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Clarkson or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions Snapshot

    78%

    Admission Rate

    29

    Average ACT

    1238 is the median SAT score and 29 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Clarkson. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is Clarkson test-optional?

    Clarkson University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Clarkson University?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Clarkson University receive between a 25 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1145 and a 1330 on their SAT.

    December
    1

    Early Decision

    March
    1

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Clarkson?

    Students must apply by March 1 to enroll at Clarkson during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    At Clarkson students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by December 1.

    Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Clarkson?

    Applying to Clarkson with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.


    Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $89,696

    Median Debt $26,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $276

    Graduation Rate 73%

    What is the graduation rate at Clarkson University?

    73% of students who start at Clarkson University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 15% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Clarkson University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Clarkson University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $89,696. This is $39,305 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Clarkson take out in loans?

    Graduates of Clarkson have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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