What is the acceptance rate at Clarkson University?

Clarkson University's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Potsdam, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Clarkson University?

Admitted students at Clarkson University typically score 1200–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Clarkson University cost?

At Clarkson University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,305 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Clarkson University?

Clarkson University enrolls approximately 2,196 undergraduate students.

Where is Clarkson University located?

Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY.

Clarkson University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Clarkson University

Potsdam, NYprivate nonprofitclarkson.edu

Acceptance

77%

SAT 25–75

1200–1390

Avg net price

$30,305

Earnings (10 yr)

$89,696

Graduation rate

75%

Admit rate has ranged 75%–78% over the last 5 years. 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.

Clarkson University is a STEM powerhouse in rural Potsdam, NY, where hands-on learning and a 'never you, never me — always us' ethos produce graduates with top-tier salaries. With a 66-77% acceptance rate and a 70/30 male-to-female ratio, it's a no-frills incubator for engineers, supply chain managers, and computer scientists who thrive on practical problem-solving.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program

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: 2,196
In-state tuition: $59,398
Out-of-state tuition: $59,398
Location: Potsdam, NY (rural)
Gender Ratio: 70% male / 30% female
Acceptance Rate: 66-77%
On-Campus Housing: 89% of students
Signature Programs: Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Science
Avg Starting Salary: $71,735 (undergrads)
Avg Financial Aid Package: $41,285

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $89,696
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.0×
Median debt at graduation: $26,000
Graduation rate: 75%
First-year retention: 85%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 86%
Pell (lower-income) share: 35%
First-generation share: 15%
Endowment / student: $97,430

Financial health

2.0 / 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$78,074
Computer Engineering$76,460
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$70,009
Chemical Engineering$68,858
Mechanical Engineering$67,802
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$67,748

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 0
Per 1,000 students: 0.00

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: 85
Summer high: 78°F
Winter low: 15°F
Annual rain: 47.5"
Annual snow: 55.5"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

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: 310
Scholarly works: 16,596

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: 3.0%
Bottom → top quintile: 53%
From bottom quintile: 6%

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 Clarkson University?: Clarkson University's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Potsdam, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Clarkson University?: Admitted students at Clarkson University typically score 1200–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Clarkson University cost?: At Clarkson University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,305 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Clarkson University?: Clarkson University enrolls approximately 2,196 undergraduate students.
Where is Clarkson University located?: Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY.

Admissions

Clarkson's admissions are moderately selective, with ranging from 66% to 77% across sources. Middle 50% SAT scores fall between 1205–1385 (College Board) or 1160–1350 (Princeton Review), while ACT averages hover around 30. The average admitted student has a 3.82 GPA. Notably, 100% of enrolled students receive financial aid, with an average package of $55,072. Applications require a $50 fee, and admissions materials can be sent to Holcroft House, 8 Clarkson Ave.

bigfuture.collegeboard.org princetonreview.com sallie.com scribd.com bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Academics

Clarkson leans hard into STEM and professional programs, with computer science (5% of majors), supply chain management (4%), and environmental science (4%) among the most popular. The university emphasizes 'hands-on research, personalized advising, and experiential learning,' including cutting-edge work in applied mathematics and predictive modeling. The Clarkson School offers an early college program for high-achieving high school students, though some Quora users note it may not suit all interests compared to liberal arts colleges.

Compare Clarkson University

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Clarkson University

Admission requirements

Outcomes & value

Financial health

Top-earning majors

Campus safety

Climate

Research output

Economic mobility

Quick answers

Admissions

Academics

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