UMass vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, MA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

UMass vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Clarkson ($22,948 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 8.4% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,710 vs. $18,252).
• Clarkson University is 234.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $41,626 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at Clarkson than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $18,949 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 254.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($46,528 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 110 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming UMass students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

UMass vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

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.