Clarkson vs. State University of New York at New Paltz

Deciding between Clarkson University and State University of New York at New Paltz? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Clarkson University
State University of New York at New Paltz

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NY
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 7,898
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • State University of New York at New Paltz #288
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Clarkson -
  • State University of New York at New Paltz -
  • Status
  • Clarkson Non-profit
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Clarkson
  • State University of New York at New Paltz

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $8,572
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,822
  • Room & Board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $16,684
  • Average Net Price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,051
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $10,087
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 71%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Clarkson Calculate
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Calculate
  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17,232
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10,616
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 61.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • State University of New York at New Paltz A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Clarkson
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Low
  • ACT Range
  • Clarkson 25/32
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29
  • SAT Range
  • Clarkson 1200/1390
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 69%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $47,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 72%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $196

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Clarkson 66%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 36%
  • % Women
  • Clarkson 34%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Clarkson Very Low
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Medium
  • HBCU
  • Clarkson No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • % White
  • Clarkson 84%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 63%
  • % Asian
  • Clarkson 3%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • % Black
  • Clarkson 2%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Clarkson 4%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17%
  • % Native American
  • Clarkson 0%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Clarkson 0%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Clarkson 2%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • % International
  • Clarkson 3%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Clarkson 2%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Clarkson 67%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 93%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Clarkson 25%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Clarkson Yes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Clarkson No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Meal Plan
  • Clarkson Yes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Clarkson No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Clarkson No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Learn More
  • Clarkson Details
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at New Paltz is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (7,898 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); State University of New York at New Paltz is in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1.

Clarkson vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than Clarkson ($18,051 vs. $32,406).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at New Paltz are 8.6% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,684 vs. $18,252).
  • Clarkson University is 592.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $50,826 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $8,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 215.6% higher at Clarkson than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $40,576 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $18,822.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at State University of New York at New Paltz (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 361.3% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($46,528 vs. $10,087).

Clarkson vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz and Clarkson.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 40 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260).
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at State University of New York at New Paltz).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (3.6).
  • Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than State University of New York at New Paltz (61.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz.

Clarkson vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz's (69%).
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($196 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 72%)

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.