Clark University Admission Requirements

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Clark University Admission Overview

Clark University admission requirements are highly competitive. Last year Clark University admitted 39.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.69 GPA (A-) and SAT 1288-1460 / ACT 30-33. Clark University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clark University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

39.5%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Clark University

Acceptance Rate

The Clark University acceptance rate is 39.5%. Last year, 4,528 of 11,452 applicants were admitted. That is the 16th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 162nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Clark University and can you get accepted?

Clark University is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Clark University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.69. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clark University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.69

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.69

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Clark University typically have around a 3.69 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Clark University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

34% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #20 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Clark University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 34.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 26.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 14.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 11.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Clark University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1288-1460

Freshmen who sent SAT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 658
  • Math 630
  • Composite 1288
SAT 25th percentile scores for Clark University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 720
  • Composite 1460
SAT 75th percentile scores for Clark University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Clark University typically score around a 1370 SAT (middle 50% 1288–1460) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 94th percentile nationally. Clark University ranks #16 in the state of Massachusetts and #124 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1288 to 1460

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Clark University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1370 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Clark University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1460+ Above 75th >56%
1370 to 1460 Avg + 39%-56%
1288 to 1370 Avg - 26%-39%
Below 1288 Below mid-50 <26%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clark University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

5%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 32
  • Math 27
  • Composite 30
ACT 25th percentile scores for Clark University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 30
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for Clark University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Clark University typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Clark University places #14 among colleges in Massachusetts and #98 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Clark University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Clark University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
33+ Above 75th >61%
31 to 33 Avg + 40%-61%
30 to 31 Avg - 30%-40%
Below 30 Below mid-50 <30%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

77% of Clark University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 41% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Clark University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 41%
Top 25% of class 77%
Top 50% of class 95%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Clark University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Clark University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,339 5,087 11,452
Accepted 2,776 1,737 4,528
Acceptance Rate 44% 34% 40%
Enrolled 277 203 486
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 10% 12% 11%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Clark University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Clark University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Clark University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Clark University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Clark University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 39.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.69 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1288-1460); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Clark University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=165334.

GPA calculator: Clark University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026