Rutgers vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Rutgers vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than Clarkson ($20,522 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 13.9% lower than at Clarkson University ($15,714 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 231.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $41,469 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Clarkson than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $21,957 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (100% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 177.9% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($46,528 vs. $16,742).

Rutgers vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 110 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Rutgers 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: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Rutgers vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers 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).

• Rutgers University New Brunswick's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Rutgers graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $4,785 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($22,215 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 68%)

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.