Clarkson vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with University at Albany in Albany, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); University at Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; University at Albany 16:1.

Clarkson vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany than Clarkson ($17,949 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 10% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,423 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 446.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $48,532 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90% higher at Clarkson than at University at Albany (about $28,142 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University at Albany (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 315.1% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($46,528 vs. $11,210).

Clarkson vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 80 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming Clarkson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY.

Clarkson vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $5,935 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,065 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 70%)

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.