Clarkson vs. Syracuse

Should I go to Clarkson University or Syracuse University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarkson or Syracuse is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clarkson University vs. Syracuse University comparison
Clarkson University Syracuse University College 3 College 4
Clarkson University Syracuse University
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Overview

Clarkson Syracuse
Location Potsdam, NY Syracuse, NY
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 3,719 22,698
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #220 #165
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarkson.edu syr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarkson Syracuse
Tuition (In State) $54,960 $58,440
Tuition (Out of State) $54,960 $58,440
Room & Board $16,744 $17,170
Avg Net Price $32,450 $43,651
Avg Grant Aid $41,285 $34,737
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 77%

Admission

Clarkson Syracuse
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,594 41,489
Admitted 5,171 21,471
Acceptance Rate 78.4% 51.8%
Enrolled % 11.5% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 28/32
SAT Range 1190/1370 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, 2025 Jan 1, 2025

Academics

Clarkson Syracuse
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)

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 64% 46%
% Women 36% 54%
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% 28%
% Out-of-State 31% 61%

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 (22,698 students vs. 3,719 students)

Clarkson vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or Syracuse?

  • Syracuse University is 6.3% more expensive to attend than Clarkson for in-state tuition ($58,440.00 vs. $54,960.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.3% higher at Syracuse than Clarkson University ($58,440.00 vs. $54,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clarkson University than Syracuse ($32,450 vs. $43,651)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 2.5% lower than costs at Syracuse University ($16,744 vs. $17,170)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clarkson University than Syracuse University (100% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 18.9% larger than aid received Syracuse University ($41,285 vs. $34,737)

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 (78.4%) than Syracuse (51.8%)

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/