Admit rate has ranged 42%–53% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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, selective research university in Worcester, MA, that punches above its weight with a distinctive blend of intimate liberal arts academics and serious research chops. Known for its progressive ethos and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, Clark attracts intellectually curious students who thrive in its collaborative, socially engaged environment. With a 77% graduation rate and strong outcomes for graduate students, it offers a high-touch education that balances rigor with support.
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
Location
Worcester, MA
Room & Board
$8,580
Acceptance Rate
~40%
Graduation Rate
77%
Median Early-Career Earnings
$39,538
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
40%
First-generation share
16%
Endowment / student
$219,894
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
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
3.16
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 University is selective but not ultra-competitive, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 40% (sources vary between 39.5% and 49%). The mid-50% SAT range is 1300–1440, and ACT scores fall between 29–33. The average admitted student has a 3.68 high school GPA. Clark receives over 8,500 applications annually, admitting roughly 4,500 students (though enrollment is far smaller). The admissions office emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., and while test scores are considered, they’re not the sole factor. Contact: 508-793-7431 or 800-GO-CLARK.
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 bills itself as a hybrid of a research university and a liberal arts college, with a focus on interdisciplinary learning and real-world problem-solving. Popular majors include Psychology, Business, Social Sciences, and Biology. The university is refocusing its curriculum around three key academic strengths (though specifics aren’t detailed in sources). Students praise the accessibility and expertise of professors, with Reddit threads calling them 'phenomenal' with rare exceptions. Small class sizes and undergrad research opportunities are hallmarks. The School of Business reports strong outcomes for grad students, with an average starting salary of $72,778.
Campus life at Clark is active but not dominated by Greek life (which is present but low-key). 68% of students live on campus, with a mix of traditional dorms and apartment-style housing. The vibe is progressive and community-oriented, with clubs ranging from cultural groups to service organizations. Worcester provides off-campus options, though the campus itself is walkable and self-contained. Sports are Division III, and while not a huge draw, they add to the community feel. Instagram accounts like @clarku_campuslife showcase events like DIY workshops, guest lectures, and outdoor trips.
Clark’s 77% graduation rate is solid for a school of its size, with most students finishing in 4.1 years. Early-career median earnings are $39,538, though this lags slightly behind peer institutions (possibly due to its strong social sciences focus). By 10 years post-graduation, median earnings rise to $62k. The School of Business reports stronger numbers, with grad students averaging $72,778 starting salaries (and some hitting $125k). Median student debt at graduation is $26,759, below the national average.
Tuition and fees run $62,070, with room and board adding $8,580 for a standard double. However, 99% of first-years receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $31,884. The average financial aid package is $45,545, with 98% of aid coming from grants or scholarships (not loans). Clark’s net price calculator helps families estimate costs, and the school emphasizes affordability despite its sticker price.
Clark’s niche is its balance: the resources of a research university (including grad programs in psychology and geography) with the close-knit feel of a liberal arts college. Its interdisciplinary focus and Worcester location (a midsize city with internships and culture) appeal to students who want more than a rural campus. The progressive ethos and emphasis on social justice resonate with politically engaged undergrads. While early-career salaries aren’t stellar, the low debt load and strong grad school outcomes make it a smart choice for students planning advanced degrees.
Clark University logo · sourceOur campus and location | Clark University · sourceClark University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceOur Campus: Clark University · source
