Clarkson Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Potsdam, NY
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Clarkson Admission Overview
Clarkson admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Clarkson admitted 77.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (A-) and SAT 1200-1390 / ACT 25-32. Clarkson 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
Clarkson is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Clarkson Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Clarkson University
Acceptance Rate
The Clarkson acceptance rate is 77.4%. Last year, 5,153 of 6,661 applicants were admitted. That is the 89th lowest acceptance rate in New York.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Clarkson and can you get accepted?
Clarkson is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Clarkson University typically 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. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Clarkson GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.8Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.8
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Clarkson typically have around a 3.8 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Clarkson is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #12 in New York for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Clarkson SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1200-1390Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
51%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 590
- Math 610
- Composite 1200
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 690
- Math 700
- Composite 1390
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Clarkson typically score around a 1300 SAT (middle 50% 1200–1390) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 88th percentile nationally. Clarkson ranks #29 in the state of New York and #205 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1200 to 1390
SAT policy
Clarkson 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 1300 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.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Clarkson ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
25-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
11%25th Percentile Scores
- English 23
- Math 25
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 32
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Clarkson typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Clarkson places #28 among colleges in New York and #230 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Clarkson without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 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.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
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 Clarkson chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Clarkson University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants 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 Clarkson University is $50.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Clarkson is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 77.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.8 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1200-1390); 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 Clarkson University often consider these colleges
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190044.
GPA calculator: Clarkson University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026