Clarkson vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (6,938 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 Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland than Clarkson ($19,847 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 14.7% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,560 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 569.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $50,524 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 216.2% higher at Clarkson than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $40,614 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 463.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($46,528 vs. $8,254).

Clarkson vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Clarkson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $23,500 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland 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.