Clarkson vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clarkson University is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College than Clarkson ($23,764 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Erie Behrend College are 20.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($14,474 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 271.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $43,426 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.3% higher at Clarkson than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $32,440 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 332.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($46,528 vs. $10,760).

Clarkson vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming Clarkson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Clarkson University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Erie-Behrend College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 69%)

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.