Clarkson vs. University of Portland

Deciding between Clarkson University and University of Portland? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Clarkson University
University of Portland

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • University of Portland Portland, OR
  • Setting
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • University of Portland Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • University of Portland 3,285
  • Type
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • University of Portland Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Clarkson #189
  • University of Portland #126
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Clarkson -
  • University of Portland Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Clarkson Non-profit
  • University of Portland Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Clarkson
  • University of Portland
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • University of Portland $58,100
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • University of Portland $58,100
  • Room & Board
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • University of Portland $17,260
  • Average Net Price
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • University of Portland $30,985
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • University of Portland $42,538
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Clarkson 100%
  • University of Portland 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • University of Portland 8,289
  • Admitted
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • University of Portland 7,391
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • University of Portland 89.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • University of Portland 9.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clarkson 1300
  • University of Portland 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clarkson 28
  • University of Portland 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • University of Portland 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Clarkson A-
  • University of Portland A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Clarkson Very High
  • University of Portland Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Clarkson
  • University of Portland
  • ACT Range
  • Clarkson 25/32
  • University of Portland 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Clarkson 1200/1390
  • University of Portland 1160/1370
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • University of Portland Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Portland Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • University of Portland 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • University of Portland
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Clarkson 72%
  • University of Portland 76%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • University of Portland $59,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Clarkson 86%
  • University of Portland 85%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • University of Portland $24,313
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Clarkson $279
  • University of Portland $251
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Clarkson 66%
  • University of Portland 36%
  • % Women
  • Clarkson 34%
  • University of Portland 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Clarkson Very Low
  • University of Portland High
  • HBCU
  • Clarkson No
  • University of Portland No
  • % White
  • Clarkson 84%
  • University of Portland 61%
  • % Asian
  • Clarkson 3%
  • University of Portland 12%
  • % Black
  • Clarkson 2%
  • University of Portland 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • Clarkson 4%
  • University of Portland 11%
  • % Native American
  • Clarkson 0%
  • University of Portland 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Clarkson 0%
  • University of Portland 2%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Clarkson 2%
  • University of Portland 8%
  • % International
  • Clarkson 3%
  • University of Portland 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Clarkson 2%
  • University of Portland 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Clarkson 67%
  • University of Portland 35%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Clarkson 25%
  • University of Portland 63%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Clarkson Yes
  • University of Portland Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Clarkson No
  • University of Portland No
  • Meal Plan
  • Clarkson Yes
  • University of Portland Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Clarkson No
  • University of Portland No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Clarkson No
  • University of Portland No

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with University of Portland in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clarkson University is larger than University of Portland based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 3,285 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); University of Portland is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
  • Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Portland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clarkson University 13:1; University of Portland 9:1.

Clarkson vs. University of Portland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson or University of Portland? 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 University of Portland than Clarkson ($30,985 vs. $32,406).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Portland are 5.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,260 vs. $18,252).
  • Clarkson University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Portland (about $1,298 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $58,100.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Clarkson than at University of Portland (about $1,298 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $58,100.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at University of Portland (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 9.4% larger than aid received by University of Portland students ($46,528 vs. $42,538).

Clarkson vs. University of Portland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson or University of Portland? 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 University of Portland and Clarkson.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 30 points higher than at University of Portland (1270).
  • Incoming Clarkson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at University of Portland (28).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; University of Portland 1160/1370.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; University of Portland 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; University of Portland - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; University of Portland Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at University of Portland (3.66).
  • University of Portland has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 9.6% at University of Portland.

Clarkson vs. University of Portland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson and University of Portland? 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).

  • University of Portland's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than University of Portland graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Portland graduates have a $2,687 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,313 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Portland graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($251 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Portland students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 85%)

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.