Clarkson vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than Clarkson ($14,782 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 9.1% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,584 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 588.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $50,773 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180% higher at Clarkson than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $38,183 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 456.8% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($46,528 vs. $8,357).

Clarkson vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 100 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Clarkson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

Clarkson vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $10,415 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($16,585 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($171 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 63%)

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.