Clarkson vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Clarkson vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Clarkson ($22,469 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 10.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,252 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $6,096 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at Swarthmore than at Clarkson University (about $6,096 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 32.5% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($61,634 vs. $46,528).

Clarkson vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 230 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Clarkson vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.