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Potsdam , NY
Clarkson University is a private research university located in Potsdam, New York. Established in 1896, it has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and business. With a student population of around 4,300, Clarkson offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its four schools: Engineering, Business, Arts & Sciences, and Health Sciences.
One of the prominent features of Clarkson University is its commitment to experiential learning. The university offers various hands-on learning opportunities, including research projects, internships, and co-ops, enabling students to gain practical experience in their field of study. Clarkson also has a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging students to develop their own business ideas and providing resources such as the Shipley Center for Innovation to support their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Additionally, Clarkson University has a well-regarded reputation in research and academia. The university conducts cutting-edge research in several areas, including sustainable energy systems, advanced materials, healthcare technology, and environmental science. Students and faculty at Clarkson have access to state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories to support their research activities. Furthermore, the university has collaborations with industries and government organizations, allowing students to engage in real-world problem-solving and fostering connections for future career opportunities.
Clarkson University is a private university located in Potsdam, NY. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at Clarkson University is 85.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 78%.
Learn more about what Clarkson University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
2,296
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$59,800
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
78%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. What are the admission requirements for Clarkson University?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,153 in 2025. Clarkson University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 48.5% and ACT scores 8.06%. 20.34% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 57.29% between 1,200 and 1,399, 19.32% between 1,000 and 1,199, 1.69% between 800 and 999, and 1.36% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 38.78, 44.9 between 24-29, 14.29 in the range between 18-23, and 2.04 between 12-17.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 630 and an average SAT Math score of 650.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Clarkson University was 85.4%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 78%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 3,348 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 31. There was a total of 2,296 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 97 international students. The school admitted a total of 58 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,998 male and 1,022 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 308 full-time graduate male and 295 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Clarkson University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 46, and the number of Afro-American students was 56. 284 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 77 identified with more than one race. There were also 8 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Clarkson University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $59,800 in 2025. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,348.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,560.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Clarkson University was $18,762 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $10,523, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,523.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 59,800 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,762 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,560 |
| Total Expense | $ 80,122 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Clarkson University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 424 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $51,549.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,797 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,815. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $4,262,481, and state $1,648,971. The students of Clarkson University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $65,561,202, and external in the amount of $1,106,310.
$33,837
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
434 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. 109 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $4,262,481 while the state aid is $1,356,921. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $26,216,747. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $747,217 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Clarkson University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 331 faculty members at this school. This number included 204 men and 127 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about social life at Clarkson University.
It has a campus size of 640 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 206 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 14% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 9 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students is Rod and Gun Club, followed by Society of Women Engineers and Spikeball Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Ski & Snowboard Club and Outing Club.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? Clarkson University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Clarkson University offers a number of services crucial for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Clarkson University.
All in all, campus life at Clarkson University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Clarkson University.
Career Counselling
At Clarkson University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 64,980 USD.
$64,980
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Clarkson University is 59,800 USD a year.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Clarkson University is 77%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Clarkson University is 85.4%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.