Amherst vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clarkson University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Amherst vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Clarkson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Clarkson ($19,049 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 0.8% lower than at Amherst College ($18,252 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $11,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Amherst than at Clarkson University (about $11,082 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Amherst College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 47.4% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,591 vs. $46,528).

Amherst vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Clarkson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clarkson and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 240 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Amherst vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Clarkson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.