Emerson vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Emerson vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Clarkson University than Emerson ($32,406 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 12.8% lower than at Emerson College ($18,252 vs. $20,920).
• Clarkson University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $2,342 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Clarkson than at Emerson College (about $2,342 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($46,528 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 50 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Emerson vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.