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Clarkson University

Potsdam, New York 13699

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

STEM-heavyCollege town

Top graduate earnings — known for engineering

Clarkson University is a private institution in Potsdam with particular strength in engineering and business. With an average SAT of 1307, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.4K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

74% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $89,696 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $31,955.

Established
1896
Motto
A Workman That Needeth Not to be Ashamed
Mascot
The Golden Knight
Type
Private research university
Conference
NCAA
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

51 upcoming visits · Next: Sat, May 30 · Campus Visit

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77%Acceptance
1307SAT Avg
2,449Students
12:1Student:Faculty
74%Grad Rate
$89,696Earnings 10yr
$31,955Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate77.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1307

Reading & WritingMid: 630
593690
MathMid: 650
605700

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2631

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible
20%
First-generation
15%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$57,950
Room & Board$17,016
Books & Supplies$1,560
Total Cost of Attendance$76,451
Average Net Price$31,955
Median Debt at Graduation$26,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,521
$30–48K$19,328
$48–75K$26,800
$75–110K$33,329
$110K+$36,429

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

35.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$21,714

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

16

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

5

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Academics

Student-faculty ratio
12:1

Programs (86)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
2,449
Gender Split
33% / 67%
Women / Men
First Generation
15%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 79%
Black 3%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 3%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate73.6%
Freshman Retention84.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$76,970
10 Years$89,696

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Forbes
#243
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#79
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Ice hockeyGolfVolleyballNordicLacrosseSoccerDiv 1

History & Fun Facts

  • History The school was founded in 1896 and was funded by the sisters of Thomas S.
  • During the first half of the 20th century, most of the campus was located "downtown".
  • As of 2001, almost all academics and housing had moved to the hill campus.
  • In 2022, the Clarkson board of trustees named the Hill campus "The Collins Hill Campus" in honor of longtime President Tony Collins.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

139Very High

Estimated from NY state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675K
254 mi(440 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
278 mi(482 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
326 mi(565 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BTV Burlington92 mi
SYR Syracuse Hancock121 mi
ALB Albany145 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
New York, NY278 mi · ~8h 2m drive
Hartford, CT232 mi · ~6h 42m drive
Providence, RI267 mi · ~7h 43m drive
Albany, NY152 mi · ~4h 23m drive
Syracuse, NY125 mi · ~3h 37m drive
Rochester, NY166 mi · ~4h 48m drive
Buffalo, NY229 mi · ~6h 37m drive
Philadelphia, PA326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Pittsburgh, PA387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA318 mi · ~9h 11m drive
Newark, NJ275 mi · ~7h 57m drive
Trenton, NJ307 mi · ~8h 52m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Clarkson University Application Checklist

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