Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a private research university with its main campus in Potsdam, New York. Clarkson has additional graduate programs and research facilities in the New York Capital District. It was established in 1896 and enrolled over 4,000 students in 2024. Students pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in each of its schools and institutes: the David D. Reh School of Business, Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Earl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health and Life Sciences, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and Institute for STEM Education. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Average net price: $30,305
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,619
- Graduation rate (150%): 75%
- Graduation rate (200%): 76%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 78%
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Median earnings (10 years): $89,696
- Median earnings (8 years): $78,777
- Median earnings (6 years): $76,970
- Control: Private nonprofit
- Locale: Town, remote
- Calendar: Semester
- City: Potsdam, NY
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Clarkson University include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, Civil Engineering.
- Mechanical Engineering (138 bachelor's) · median earnings $90,286 4 years after graduation · median debt $26,750
- Engineering Management (75 bachelor's) · median earnings $88,793 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Civil Engineering (54 bachelor's) · median earnings $82,387 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Chemical Engineering (41 bachelor's) · median earnings $93,614 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Biology (40 bachelor's) · median earnings $77,791 4 years after graduation · median debt $26,240
- Computer Science (31 bachelor's) · median earnings $103,132 4 years after graduation · median debt $25,615
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management (29 bachelor's) · median earnings $93,152 4 years after graduation · median debt $24,250
- Aerospace Engineering (28 bachelor's) · median earnings $91,066 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Environmental (22 bachelor's) · median earnings $77,891 4 years after graduation · median debt $27,000
- Psychology (20 bachelor's) · median earnings $73,359 4 years after graduation · median debt $25,813
Degree mix: Business 16%, Engineering 54%, Computer Science 5%, Health 14%, Biological Sciences 7%, Psychology 2%, Communication 2%.
Award levels offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral.
Cost
Clarkson University students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $20,521 a year after aid.
- Net price, $0 to $30,000: $20,521
- Net price, $30,001 to $48,000: $19,328
- Net price, $48,001 to $75,000: $26,800
- Net price, $75,001 to $110,000: $33,329
- Net price, $110,001 and above: $36,429
- In-state tuition and fees: $59,398
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $59,398
- Books and supplies: $1,560
- On-campus room and board: $18,252
- Off-campus room and board: $18,252
- Off-campus with family: $3,470
- Typical cost of attendance: $79,210
- Sticker vs net gap: 62%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 22%
- Federal loan recipients: 62%
- Average institutional grant: $44,053
- Average federal loan: $6,280
- Median debt at graduation: $26,000
Admissions
Clarkson University admits 77% of applicants. Of students admitted, 9% enrolled.
- Applications: 6,661
- Admitted: 5,153
- Enrolled: 489
- Yield (first-choice signal): 9%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 2,619
- Women: 37%
- Commuter share (estimated): 5%
- Part-time undergraduates: 32%
- Age 25 and older: 76%
- Graduate students: 830
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Come back after freshman year: 85%
- First-generation: 15%
Faculty and campus
- Full-time faculty: 43%
- Student to faculty: 13:1
- Professor salary: $139,679
- Associate professor salary: $101,466
- Assistant professor salary: $93,467
- On-campus housing capacity: 2,482
- Meal plan meals per week: 21
- Average SAT: 1,300
- Average ACT: 28
- Study abroad: Available
- Online programs: Available
Common questions
What is the Clarkson University acceptance rate? Clarkson University admits 77% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
How much does Clarkson University cost? Students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $20,521 a year after aid. Average net price is $30,305.
What majors does Clarkson University offer? Popular programs include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology.
What is the average salary after Clarkson University? Median earnings 10 years after entry are $89,696 for Title IV aid recipients in College Scorecard.
What is the Clarkson University graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 78% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 75%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. Clarkson University official site: https://www.clarkson.edu.