Clarkson University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Clarkson University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

78.4%

Admission Difficulty for Clarkson University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Difficult
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Clarkson is 78.4%. Its admission rate is the 94th lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Clarkson University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,171 out of the 6,594 who applied were admitted.

Clarkson University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.8. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Clarkson?

78% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Clarkson University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.8 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1280 on the SAT
Score 27 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Clarkson GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.8

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Clarkson University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Clarkson are to have around a 3.8 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.8 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Clarkson accepts 78% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Clarkson is 3.8 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #12 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Clarkson is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Clarkson University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	14.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	41.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	32.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	7.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	4.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	2.0%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Clarkson SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Clarkson University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 58% of students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1190-1370

Applicants Submitting SAT

58%

SAT Scores for Clarkson University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	580
Math 25th Percentile	610
Composite 25th Percentile	1190

SAT Scores for Clarkson University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	680
Math 75th Percentile	690
Composite 75th Percentile	1370
Average SAT Score	1280

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Clarkson University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Clarkson is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1190-1370. Students who get into Clarkson University score in the top 26 percent of all SAT test takers.. Clarkson ranks #32 in the state of New York and #210 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Clarkson regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1190 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1190, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1100, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Clarkson University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1280, you have around a 78% chance of being admitted. A 1370 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 87% chance of getting in.

Clarkson University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1370 and Above	Good	>87%
1280 to 1370	Avg +	78%-87%
1190 to 1280	Avg -	65%-78%
1100 to 1190	Reach	50%-65%
Less than 1100	Low	<50%

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Clarkson ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

25-30

Applicants Submitting ACT

12%

ACT Scores for Clarkson University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	22
Math 25th Percentile	25
Composite 25th Percentile	25

ACT Scores for Clarkson University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	29
Math 75th Percentile	30
Composite 75th Percentile	30
Average ACT Score	27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Clarkson?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Clarkson is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30. The school ranks #42 in New York for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

12 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Clarkson University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Clarkson University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Clarkson for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 78% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 30 ACT score.

Clarkson University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
30 and Above	Good	>88%
27 to 30	Avg +	78%-88%
25 to 27	Avg -	68%-78%
23 to 25	Reach	56%-68%
Less than 23	Low	<56%

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High School Class Rank

77% of Clarkson University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Clarkson University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	44%
Top 25% of class	77%
Top 50% of class	97%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Clarkson University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,949	3,645	6,594
Accepted	2,247	2,924	5,171
Acceptance Rate	76%	80%	78%
Enrolled	183	413	596
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	8%	14%	12%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 53 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Clarkson University is $50.

Application Requirements

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

Clarkson University Application Requirements
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	Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Clarkson University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Clarkson University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.8 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1280 and ACT of 27 will almost guarantee your admission.