Clarkson vs. Penn State York

Should I go to Clarkson University or Penn State York? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarkson or Penn State York is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

RIT St Lawrence University RPI Syracuse Binghamton University BU UB Mason Penn State Harrisburg Union College UVM NYU
Clarkson University vs. Penn State York comparison
Clarkson University Penn State York College 3 College 4
Clarkson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Clarkson Penn State York
Location Potsdam, NY York, PA
Setting Remote Town Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 3,719 718
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #220
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarkson.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarkson Penn State York
Tuition (In State) $54,960 $14,624
Tuition (Out of State) $54,960 $24,318
Room & Board $16,744 $12,984
Avg Net Price $32,450 $18,910
Avg Grant Aid $41,285 $8,440
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 84%

Admission

Clarkson Penn State York
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,594 2,005
Admitted 5,171 1,862
Acceptance Rate 78.4% 92.9%
Enrolled % 11.5% 10.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/30 23/26
SAT Range 1190/1370 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Clarkson Penn State York
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Work and Family Studies (24%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Clarkson Penn State York
Graduation Rate 72% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $70,800 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Clarkson Penn State York
% Men 64% 64%
% Women 36% 36%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 84% 63%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 15%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Clarkson Penn State York
% In-State 65% 81%
% Out-of-State 31% 17%

Campus

Clarkson Penn State York
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clarkson University is larger than than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (3,719 students vs. 718 students)

Clarkson vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Penn State York?

  • Clarkson University is 275.8% more expensive to attend than Penn State York for in-state tuition ($54,960.00 vs. $14,624.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 126% higher at Clarkson than Penn State York ($54,960.00 vs. $24,318.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State York than Clarkson ($18,910 vs. $32,450)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 29% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($12,984 vs. $16,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Penn State York (100% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 389.2% larger than aid received Penn State York ($41,285 vs. $8,440)

Clarkson vs. Penn State York Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Penn State York? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State York or Clarkson .

  • The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 148 points higher than at Penn State York (1050)
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Penn State York (24)
  • Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Clarkson (78.4%)

Clarkson vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarkson or Penn State York? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State York and Clarkson.

  • The graduation rate at Clarkson is higher than Penn State York (72% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $15,500 more per year than Penn State York graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $55,300)
  • Penn State York students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarkson graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State York graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Clarkson graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York 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/