Elms College vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clarkson University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Our Lady of the Elms is located in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Elms College vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Clarkson ($19,870 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 14.5% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,605 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 37.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $16,073 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at Clarkson than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $16,073 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms as at Clarkson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 37.7% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($46,528 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms 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 Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 60 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Clarkson (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Elms College vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms 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).

• Clarkson University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 61%)

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.