Clark University vs. Columbia

Should I go to Clark University or Columbia University in the City of New York? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clark University or Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clark University vs. Columbia University in the City of New York comparison
Clark University Columbia University in the City of New York College 3 College 4
Clark University Columbia University in the City of New York
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Overview

Clark University Columbia
Location Worcester, MA New York, NY
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,770 34,782
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #154 #22
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarku.edu columbia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clark University Columbia
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $62,570
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $62,570
Room & Board $11,164 $16,286
Avg Net Price $32,053 $22,058
Avg Grant Aid $29,716 $61,061
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 52%

Admission

Clark University Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,787 60,879
Admitted 4,422 2,404
Acceptance Rate 50.3% 3.9%
Enrolled % 15.9% 64.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.91
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Low Extreme
ACT Range 28/33 34/35
SAT Range 1250/1430 1490/1580
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 1, 2025

Academics

Clark University Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (26%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • History (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Clark University Columbia
Graduation Rate 80% 93%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $107,600
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Clark University Columbia
% Men 45% 46%
% Women 55% 54%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 38%
% Black 4% 8%
% Hispanic 7% 13%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 15% 15%
% Unknown Race 8% 3%

Students

Clark University Columbia
% In-State 37% 19%
% Out-of-State 57% 64%

Campus

Clark University Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than than Clark University based on total student enrollment (34,782 students vs. 3,770 students)

Clark University vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark University or Columbia?

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is 20.3% more expensive to attend than Clark University for in-state tuition ($62,570.00 vs. $52,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.3% higher at Columbia than Clark University ($62,570.00 vs. $52,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia University in the City of New York than Clark University ($22,058 vs. $32,053)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 45.9% lower than costs at Columbia University in the City of New York ($11,164 vs. $16,286)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than Columbia University in the City of New York (96% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 105.5% larger than aid received Clark University ($61,061 vs. $29,716)

Clark University vs. Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark University or Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia or Clark University .

  • Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Clark University (3.69)
  • Clark University has a higher acceptance rate (50.3%) than Columbia (3.9%)

Clark University vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clark University or Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia and Clark University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia is higher than Clark University (93% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn on average $57,500 more per year than Clark University graduates after ten years. ($107,600 vs. $50,100)
  • Columbia University in the City of New York students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/