Clarkson vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Clarkson ($19,066 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 16.3% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,274 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 290.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $44,190 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.9% higher at Clarkson than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $34,006 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 413.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($46,528 vs. $9,065).

Clarkson vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley and Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley 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.