Princeton vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Princeton vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Clarkson ($15,313 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 9.9% lower than at Princeton University ($18,252 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $3,290 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Princeton than at Clarkson University (about $3,290 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 47.7% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($68,727 vs. $46,528).

Princeton vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 250 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Princeton vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $43,100 more per year than Clarkson graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $70,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.