Admit rate has ranged 42%–53% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (40%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Clark University is a small, research-driven liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts, that has carved out a distinctive niche for its emphasis on 'practical idealism' and interdisciplinary problem-solving. It blends the intensity of a research institution with the close-knit feel of a liberal arts college, attracting students who are intellectually daring and socially engaged. The campus vibe is creative and playful, anchored by a strong sense of community where 95% of first-years live on campus.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,214
In-state tuition
$58,867
Out-of-state tuition
$58,867
Graduation Rate
77%
ED Share of Class
Just under 72%
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$62,381
First-Year Students Living On Campus
95%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,381
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$26,759
Graduation rate
77%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
23%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
16%
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$74,576
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$37,568
Social Sciences, Other$36,848
Biology, General$34,526
Communication and Media Studies$32,391
Psychology, General$29,413
Applicants here also applied to
The schools that most often appear alongside Clark University on applicants’ lists, from our self-reported outcomes corpus.
Co-application frequency from self-reported results — directional peer discovery, not a recommendation.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
1.81
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
51.3"
Annual snow
44.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
377
Scholarly works
13,543
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.2%
Bottom → top quintile
42%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Clark University?
Clark University's acceptance rate is approximately 40% (Worcester, MA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Clark University?
Admitted students at Clark University typically score 1288–1460 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Clark University cost?
At Clark University, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,714 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Clark University?
Clark University enrolls approximately 2,214 undergraduate students.
Where is Clark University located?
Clark University is located in Worcester, MA.
Admissions
Clark operates as a selective institution, receiving over 8,500 applications annually for a first-year class of about 630 students. The admissions process is holistic, with the mid-50% SAT range for admitted students reported as 1300-1440 and an average high school GPA of 3.68. The university offers a binding Early Decision (ED) option, which it describes as an agreement indicating Clark is the applicant's top choice. Data suggests a significant advantage for ED applicants; one analysis notes an ED around 40% compared to a much lower Regular Decision rate, and that the university fills just under 72% of its class through Early Decision. Demonstrated interest is a factor in admissions, as indicated by its inclusion in the 's factor importance grid (C7). The admissions office can be reached at 508-793-7431 or via toll-free number 800-GO-CLARK, with a mailing address at 950 Main Street, Worcester.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
English Language and Literature, General
$28,598
Political Science and Government$27,181
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Clark's academic identity is defined by its dual distinction as both a research institution and an intimate academic experience, with a pronounced emphasis on learning through doing. The curriculum is organized around interest areas such as Arts, Media, Design, and Communications; Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship; and Government, International Affairs, and Law. In a significant recent development, the university announced a refocusing of its curriculum and academic departments around three key areas of strength to meet the needs of a changing world, signaling a move toward enhanced interdisciplinary opportunities. Popular majors include Psychology; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The student perspective, as shared online, frequently praises the faculty, with comments like "Most teachers are really well managed and know what they're talking about" and "professors are phenomenal."
Life at Clark is described as creative, intellectually daring, and playful. The campus community is highly residential, with 95% of first-year students living on campus, which fosters a tight-knit environment where students quickly build friendships. Student-led organizations are a major pillar of the experience, with more than 130 clubs and organizations run by the students themselves. Reviews of campus life often highlight that "the people are extremely nice and welcoming" and that the dorms are nice. The university has also shown a commitment to understanding and shaping its community, having launched a landmark survey on campus culture and community to gather broad student input.
Clark University demonstrates strong graduation outcomes, with an overall graduation rate placing it within the top 15% of comparable institutions. For graduate students in the School of Business (Class of 2025), employment outcomes are robust, with an average reported salary of $72,778 and a high salary reaching $125,000. While specific undergraduate earnings data from the provided sources is limited, the university's focus on practical idealism and interdisciplinary study aims to prepare students for meaningful careers and advanced study.
Clark University provides a Calculator to help families estimate financial aid eligibility, encouraging them to contact the financial aid office at 508-793-7478 or [email protected] for detailed discussions. The university offers various financial aid opportunities to international undergraduate students, awarding a select number of scholarships and grants to first-year and transfer international applicants each year. It's important for families to be aware of federal financial aid changes, as students whose total aid already meets or exceeds the full may not be eligible for additional funds, which could impact eligibility. The sources provided do not specify whether Clark has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need or a no-loan policy for all qualifying students.
Clark University stands out for its deliberate and distinctive fusion of a research university's rigor with a small liberal arts college's community. It’s not a place for passive learning; the institutional ethos of 'practical idealism' pushes students to apply their intellect to real-world problems, a mission now being formally sharpened through a curricular refocus on key interdisciplinary areas. The admissions strategy, which heavily favors the Early Decision pool, creates a class of students who have actively chosen Clark as their first choice, fostering a committed and engaged campus culture from day one. This results in an environment that is both intellectually serious—with faculty widely praised by students—and genuinely communal, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority of first-years living on campus and the prolific student-run club scene. It’s a campus for the purpose-driven student who wants the tools of a research institution delivered in a collaborative, hands-on setting.
Clark University seal · sourceOur campus and location | Clark University · sourceJonas Clark Hall | Campus Map | · sourceSchedule of Events | Family and Friends Weekend | Clark University · source
