Clarkson vs. SUNY Old Westbury

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Old Westbury is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (4,709 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); SUNY Old Westbury is in Old Westbury, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Old Westbury is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; SUNY Old Westbury 17:1.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Old Westbury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or SUNY Old Westbury? 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 SUNY Old Westbury than Clarkson ($10,944 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Old Westbury are 23.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($13,972 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 605.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Old Westbury (about $50,976 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $8,422.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.2% higher at Clarkson than at SUNY Old Westbury (about $40,556 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $18,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at SUNY Old Westbury (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 356.2% larger than aid received by SUNY Old Westbury students ($46,528 vs. $10,200).

Clarkson vs. SUNY Old Westbury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 190 points higher than at SUNY Old Westbury (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; SUNY Old Westbury 1010/1206.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; SUNY Old Westbury - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SUNY Old Westbury (3.1).
• SUNY Old Westbury has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 12.4% at SUNY Old Westbury.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Old Westbury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and SUNY Old Westbury? 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 SUNY Old Westbury's (35%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than SUNY Old Westbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Old Westbury graduates have a $10,754 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($16,246 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Old Westbury graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($167 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Old Westbury students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 48%)

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.