Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Penn State Binghamton University UB RIT Fordham UVM Drexel St Lawrence University BU Skidmore College AU Providence| Clarkson University | Syracuse University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
| Location | Potsdam, NY | Syracuse, NY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,603 | 22,948 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #183 | #160 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | clarkson.edu | syr.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $56,642 | $61,310 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $56,642 | $61,310 | ||
| Room & Board | $17,016 | $18,444 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $33,192 | $51,520 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $43,097 | $29,110 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 82% |
Admission |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,347 | 42,089 | ||
| Admitted | 5,669 | 17,545 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 77.2% | 41.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.7% | 20.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.8 | 3.69 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 26/31 | 28/32 | ||
| SAT Range | 1198/1390 | 1260/1430 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 1, 2026 |
Academics |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 15:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
| Graduation Rate | 72% | 80% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $70,800 | $65,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 86% | 80% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $279 |
Diversity |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 17% | 14% | ||
| % Women | 13% | 17% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 84% | 55% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 11% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 12% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 65% | 32% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 57% | ||
Campus |
Clarkson | Syracuse | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Syracuse University is larger than than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (22,948 students vs. 3,603 students)
Clarkson vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Syracuse?
- Syracuse University is 8.2% more expensive to attend than Clarkson for in-state tuition ($61,310.00 vs. $56,642.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.2% higher at Syracuse than Clarkson University ($61,310.00 vs. $56,642.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clarkson University than Syracuse ($33,192 vs. $51,520)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 8.4% lower than costs at Syracuse University ($17,016 vs. $18,444)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Syracuse University (100% vs. 82%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 48% larger than aid received Syracuse University ($43,097 vs. $29,110)
Clarkson vs. Syracuse Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or Syracuse? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Syracuse or Clarkson .
- The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 3 points higher than at Syracuse (1195)
- Incoming Clarkson students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at Syracuse (27)
- Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Syracuse (3.69)
- Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Syracuse (41.7%)
Clarkson vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Clarkson or Syracuse? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Syracuse and Clarkson.
- The graduation rate at Syracuse is higher than Clarkson University (80% vs. 72%)
- Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Syracuse graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $65,900)
- Syracuse University and Clarkson graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
- Syracuse University and Clarkson graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
- More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/