Clarkson vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes Barre than Clarkson ($16,621 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 16.3% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,274 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 316% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $45,118 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.4% higher at Clarkson than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $35,392 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 377.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($46,528 vs. $9,742).

Clarkson vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Wilkes-Barre and Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• 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 Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Clarkson vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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