Clarkson vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Clarkson vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Clarkson ($22,520 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,580 vs. $18,252).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $12,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Columbia than at Clarkson University (about $12,447 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 44% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($67,010 vs. $46,528).

Clarkson vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 250 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia 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 Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Clarkson vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $36,800 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

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.