Colby College vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

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

Clarkson University is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Colby College vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Clarkson? 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 Colby College than Clarkson ($16,219 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 2% lower than at Clarkson University ($17,890 vs. $18,252).
• Colby College is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $10,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Colby College than at Clarkson University (about $10,202 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($69,201 vs. $46,528).

Colby College vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 210 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Colby College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Colby College vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Clarkson? 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $7,655 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($19,345 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.