Clarkson vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Clarkson vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or RIT ? 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 Clarkson University than RIT ($32,406 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 11.6% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,142 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $124 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Clarkson than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $124 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Rochester Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($46,528 vs. $35,077).

Clarkson vs. RIT Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 80 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming RIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at RIT (3.7).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Clarkson vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and RIT ? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clarkson University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Clarkson graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

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.