Clarkson vs. Jefferson

Clarkson University and Thomas Jefferson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clarkson University
Thomas Jefferson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 81%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Jefferson. Average net price is $29,325 vs $32,406 at Clarkson.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clarkson $70,800 vs Jefferson $122,900 (median).
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Key differences

Clarkson University Thomas Jefferson University
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
Clarkson77.4%
Jefferson81%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
Clarkson1200-1390
Jefferson1160-1330
Average net price
Jefferson $3,081 less
Clarkson$32,406
Jefferson$29,325
In-state tuition
Jefferson $11,893 less
Clarkson$59,398
Jefferson$47,505
Out-of-state tuition
Jefferson $11,893 less
Clarkson$59,398
Jefferson$47,505
Graduation rate
Clarkson +72 pts
Clarkson72%
Jefferson-
Median earnings (10 years)
Jefferson +$52,100
Clarkson$70,800
Jefferson$122,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Jefferson 7,087
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Jefferson 5,738
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Jefferson 81%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Jefferson 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Jefferson 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • Jefferson 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Jefferson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • Jefferson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Jefferson Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Clarkson
  • Jefferson
  • SAT range
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • Jefferson 1160-1330
  • ACT range
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Jefferson 25-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Jefferson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Jefferson Jul 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Jefferson $47,505
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Jefferson $47,505
  • Room & board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Jefferson $15,834
  • Average net price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Jefferson $29,325
  • Average grant aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • Jefferson $35,007
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Jefferson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Jefferson -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Jefferson $122,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Jefferson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Jefferson $12,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • Jefferson $129
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Jefferson 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Jefferson
  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Jefferson Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Jefferson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Jefferson 8,238
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • Jefferson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 13.2% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,834 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at Clarkson than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $11,893 more per year; $59,398 vs. $47,505).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students ($46,528 vs. $35,007).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Clarkson than at Jefferson (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clarkson and Jefferson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Jefferson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($12,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($129 vs. $279).
  • More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 86%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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