About Clarkson University

Founded in 1896, Clarkson University. is a Private college. Located in New York, which is a city setting in New York, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 3,268 full time undergraduate students, and 1,116 full time graduate students.

The Clarkson University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 245 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Clarkson University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate68%
Application Deadline1-Dec
Application Fee50
SAT Range1080-1283
ACT Range24-29

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,24% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 11 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

93% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 69% were in the top quarter, and 35% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Clarkson University.

20%
“We”re apathetic”
46%
“We know about current events and vote”
32%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
22%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
14%
“I only go out in groups”
24%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
60%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
52%
“We live for the big game”
38%
“It”s not really our thing”
50%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
12%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
52%
“They keep regular office hours”
46%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
28%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
8%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
12%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
38%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
24%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
18%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
20%
“We”re apathetic”
46%
“We know about current events and vote”
32%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
22%
“Sometimes, but not often”
46%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
32%
“All the time, including weekends”
2%
“I”m always terrified”
14%
“I only go out in groups”
24%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
60%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
38%
“We bought the gear”
52%
“We live for the big game”
38%
“It”s not really our thing”
50%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
12%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
52%
“They keep regular office hours”
46%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
28%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
62%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
8%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
12%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
38%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
24%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
18%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    77 Students rated on-campus housing 3.1 stars. 5 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    65 Students rated off-campus housing 2.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    77 Students rated campus food 2.6 stars. 5 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    77 Students rated campus facilities 3.3 stars. 12 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    77 Students rated class size 3.9 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    77 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    78 Students rated local services 3.5 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    77 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

Clarkson University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Clarkson University?

23 Students rated Clarkson University

Caroline - 12/18/2024

Clarkson has incredible academics. The engineering school is amazing. It is a little far from any major city, but if your an outdoorsy person you will love the Adirondacks. There are tons of clubs on campus to keep you busy all weekend. Hockey games are always fun.

Joseph - 01/22/2024

My college is definitely an experience that people should come and see for themselves. If I could summarize my college experience, in one word I wouldn't be able to do it. There are so many things to do here many clubs, and don't get me started on the hockey games. Our women's team is undefeated, and our men's team is good when they're not getting mad at the other team. Our food isn't the best but when you eat with friends it makes it better, and sometimes the food is actually really good to be honest. I'm excited to see how these next few years play out. I definitely recommend Clarkson at the end of the day, because everyone has their good s and bads. Clarkson has a lot of goods.

Sammi - 07/14/2022

It is a good school if you're 100% certain what you want to do. Would not suggest if you're *not* going into engineering or STEM- anything humanities is an absolute miss. If you ever want to be able to take art, history, political science, etc. don't go here. We have classes but they either over fill so quick only seniors get them or they're super limited topic wise. Socializing in party terms is not really a thing, there's parties but they're club affiliated or generally meh frat parties in town. The grad students are pretty racially diverse but undergrads not so much. The LGBTQ+ population is bigger than expected and there is a LGBTQ club, but the general slightly conservative, very white middle-upper class students are not always the kindest. I've heard more slurs and general shitty things re race, politics, homophobia here than in my very ultra conservative southern town. Just because its NY doesn't mean its NYC. The staff are very chill and supportive and take complaints seriously. Academic wise it can't be beat for engineering, business seems well funded and functional and the other departments have really passionate staff. The support staff (the D&I office, student support services, etc) are super involved and if you bother to open emails it is really easy to get involved on campus.

Christina - 12/10/2019

It is a fun place to be. The academics are great and the professors care about students succeeding. Some of the academic buildings are a bit run down, but some are nice. As far as campus food goes, it is not very good and seems to have little nutrition. It is also a very stressful curriculum, but it is all worthwhile.

Clarkson University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Clarkson University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Clarkson University is 68%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Don't be affraid to try new things. College is supposed to be the best years of your life. Don't be affraid to open up and get out of your comfort zone. Relax and ejoy the ride.

    Read all 68 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Argueably almost all students (males outnumbering females 3-1) excelled academically in high school math and science and are on track for an advanced degree and career in engineering or research or both.

    Read all 30 answers

  4. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    "The odds are good but the goods are odd.". This is totally true of the Clarkson population, although every year there are more girls, and the nerdy guys, while you may never want to date them, make great friends.

    Read all 26 answers

  5. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The thing that I like the most about Clarkson is that as a student body, there is a real feeling of camaraderie.This can be said about any alumni as well. Students at Clarkson feel the same ups and downs with exams, sports teams, and the weather. I also like the fact that we are located in the Adirondacks, and enjoy taking advantage of all that the area has to offer. Within a small 10 mile radius, there are 4 universities, giving the area a real college town feel. Being the Activities Chairman of the University, I try to create events that the entire student body would like to participate in furthering a feeling of togetherness.One of the most frequent complaints from our mostly male populated school is the gender ratio. This is something that the administration has looked into, and over the past few years, due to different advertising techniques, the ratio has slowly improved.

    Read all 26 answers

  6. What are the academics like at your school?

    Students at Clarkson are very competitive. In most dorm hallways, students can be seen writing physics equations on the walls and discussing how to attack certain problems. For freshman engineering majors, students spend a lot of time studying together. Being a small school, many professors are able to acknowledge a student by their name. My major at Clarkson is a new and exciting major that is the first of its kind. The Engineering and Management major is one of only two majors to have both and engineering and business accreditation. This unique major integrates core business and core engineering principals into one major.

    Read all 26 answers

  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    A community of students.

    Read all 24 answers

  8. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for their engineering department as well as their business entrepreneurship program. Clarkson is ranked #11 for "Best Engineering Colleges By salary Potential" according to the 2013-2014 PayScale College Salary Report. Their graduate business program is ranked #12 in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report 2013. They are also very well known for their internship opportunities offered, and is ranked #1 in the nation for graduates with the most internship experience by U.S. News & World Report 2013.

    Read all 20 answers

  9. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    The most popular club on campus is Ski Club. The area is home to some of the best skiing in the Northeast(White Face, Gore, and Jay peak). Typically a student will meet their closest friends within a student major on their freshman dorm floor. Most students leave their doors open and have a welcoming attitude. The student body as a whole supports the Hockey team, it is Clarkson's only division 1 sport. There is also a strong Greek presence at Clarkson. All of the Greek houses are located off campus. Most student will frequent these places on the weekends. Resident Life also provides alternate forms of entertainment of the weekends for those who do not wish to drink.

    Read all 20 answers

  10. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Being a small school, Clarkson offers students direct exposure to fields of study outside of ones primary concentration. The opportunity to interact with those students and hear their ideas is invaluable.

    Read all 19 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is focused on their future and is ready to get ahead of others with real-world learning skills, carrer-related internships, and scintific research.

    Read all 16 answers

  12. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    It gets really, really cold.

    Read all 15 answers

  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I can't remember anything I wish I'd known. However, I did know that the Outing Club hosted freshman hiking trips, and this helped me get to know a few people here, who introduced me to a few more people here. When you're out camping in the woods with people you don't know that well, you make good friends fast.

    Read all 15 answers

  14. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who isn't into academics and doesn't want to work hard.

    Read all 12 answers

  15. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Its hard at first because you're at this small place in the middle of nowhere with physics, calculus, chemistry freshman year, and since there isn't a lot around you, it seems like it consumes you. You jusst have to try and find ways to get your mind off of school by doing off campus things like greek life, or find some fun on campus activity like club sports and hanging with friends.

    Read all 10 answers

  16. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    I choose Clarkson University because they had a program called The Clarkson School. This is a program where high school students can forgo the rest of their high school years to enter Clarkson as a freshman. The program provides a huge amount of support and encouragement. The staff is amazing and I do not regret missing out on my senior year of high school to come to Clarkson. I decided to stay at Clarkson because I loved the atmosphere, the academics, and all the friends I've made here.

    Read all 10 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    -white -male -upper middle class -intelligent

    Read all 8 answers

  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    For the most part, yes, however this campus still has its select few psycos that fall outside of it, but for the most part the people all have their slight oddities.

    Read all 7 answers

  19. What's unique about your campus?

    Small Campus results in less walking.

    Read all 7 answers

  20. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    My friends and social events.

    Read all 5 answers

  21. What are your classes like?

    My classes require hours of studying and homework along with seeing professors outside of class and paying attention in class.

    Read all 5 answers

Student Body

Students

30%

female

70%

male

3,268

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,116

Total Grad Students

30%

Out-Of-State

67%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

149

Student Organizations

11

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

69%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
82%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Clarkson University receive some sort of financial aid. 22% were awarded federal grants.72%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$46,132

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,416

Books and Supplies

$14,260

Room and Board

61,808

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$18,897
$30 - $48K
$20,244
$48 - $75K
$26,110
$75 - $110K
$30,590
$110K & UP
$36,578

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO Clarkson University?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH

TOP STUDENT RATED COLLEGES IN New York

View All Colleges in New York