Wellesley vs. Clarkson

Comparable Facts

Compare Wellesley College in Wellesley, 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 Wellesley based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Wellesley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wellesley College 7:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Wellesley vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Clarkson ($22,174 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 13.2% lower than at Wellesley College ($18,252 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 13.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clarkson (about $7,778 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at Wellesley than at Clarkson University (about $7,778 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $59,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Wellesley College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Clarkson University students ($64,116 vs. $46,528).

Wellesley vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 210 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Clarkson University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Clarkson (3.8).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Wellesley vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($92 vs. $279).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clarkson students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 86%)

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.