Clarkson vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Clarkson vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Clarkson ($26,233 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 5.2% lower than at Middlebury College ($18,252 vs. $19,250).
• Middlebury College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $8,202 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Middlebury than at Clarkson University (about $8,202 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Middlebury College (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($59,647 vs. $46,528).

Clarkson vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middlebury College (1500) is 200 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Middlebury 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; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Clarkson vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and Middlebury? 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).

• Middlebury College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Middlebury College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,400 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $11,111 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($15,889 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($164 vs. $279).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.