Clark University vs. Purchase College

Should I go to Clark University or SUNY at Purchase College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clark University or Purchase College 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. SUNY at Purchase College comparison
Clark University SUNY at Purchase College College 3 College 4
Clark University SUNY at Purchase College
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Overview

Clark University Purchase College
Location Worcester, MA Purchase, NY
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,124 3,229
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #153 #297
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarku.edu purchase.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clark University Purchase College
Tuition (In State) $54,760 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $54,760 $16,980
Room & Board $11,690 $15,400
Avg Net Price $32,767 $18,651
Avg Grant Aid $31,916 $9,627
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 72%

Admission

Clark University Purchase College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,730 7,221
Admitted 4,471 5,259
Acceptance Rate 41.7% 72.8%
Enrolled % 14.1% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 30/33 27/32
SAT Range 1240/1400 1178/1363
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, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Clark University Purchase College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Clark University Purchase College
Graduation Rate 80% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $232

Diversity

Clark University Purchase College
% Men 23% 1%
% Women 20% 1%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 55%
% Black 4% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 15% 2%
% Unknown Race 8% 7%

Students

Clark University Purchase College
% In-State 36% 78%
% Out-of-State 60% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clark University is larger than than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (4,124 students vs. 3,229 students)

Clark University vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark University or Purchase College?

  • Clark University is 674.5% more expensive to attend than Purchase College for in-state tuition ($54,760.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 222.5% higher at Clark University than SUNY at Purchase College ($54,760.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Clark University ($18,651 vs. $32,767)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 31.7% lower than costs at SUNY at Purchase College ($11,690 vs. $15,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than SUNY at Purchase College (97% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark University students is 231.5% larger than aid received SUNY at Purchase College ($31,916 vs. $9,627)

Clark University vs. Purchase College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Purchase College (3.37)
  • Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (72.8%) than Clark University (41.7%)

Clark University vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clark University or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College and Clark University.

  • The graduation rate at Clark University is higher than SUNY at Purchase College (80% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Clark University earn on average $9,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $40,200)
  • SUNY at Purchase College students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Purchase College graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

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