Clarkson University
Potsdam, New York · Private Nonprofit · 77.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 88/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Clarkson University scores 88 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by a 4.8-year payback period, $56,400 average 6-year earnings, a 74.9% completion rate, and a repayment rate of 91.8%. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.461 is in the B-grade range. Clarkson's ROI is built on engineering depth: Computer Engineering ($80,942 year-one, $107,790 four-year, ROI grade B+), Computer Science ($79,744 year-one, $103,132 four-year, ROI grade B+), Electrical Engineering ($77,940 year-one, $97,750 four-year, ROI grade B+), Chemical Engineering ($75,887 year-one, $93,614 four-year, ROI grade B), and Mechanical Engineering ($73,168 year-one, $90,286 four-year, 155 graduates, ROI grade B) all deliver strong outcomes. The repayment rate of 91.8% is the clearest signal that graduates are managing their debt successfully - the credential converts reliably to earnings. Potsdam, New York is a remote location; students who prioritize urban access should weigh the tradeoff.
The median graduate earns $89,696 ten years after entry - well above the roughly $53,600 median across the schools we score.
Clarkson University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $59,398/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $59,398/yr |
| Average net price | $30,305/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $121,220 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,696 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $56,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 74.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,196 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $59,398/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $30,305/year, or roughly $121,220 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $21,335/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $35,757/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $26,000, which works out to about $276 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($56,400) and comes to 0.46, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,335 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,934 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,321 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,990 |
| $110,001+ | $35,757 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $21,335 net price per year at Clarkson - approximately $85,000 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $19,934 - lower, reflecting aid formula steps. At $19,000-$21,000 per year, low-income students pay well below the $59,398 sticker. With engineering starting salaries in the $70,000-$81,000 range and a 4.8-year payback period, the financial case for low-income engineering students at Clarkson is strong.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $23,321 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $30,990. Aid declines for middle-income families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $35,757 per year - approximately $143,000 four-year all-in. At a 4.8-year payback from the institutional median, and with engineering graduates averaging $70,000-$81,000 year-one, the financial case for full-pay families is solid.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Clarkson University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,286 | B |
| Civil Engineering | $82,387 | B |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,614 | B |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $91,066 | B |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $88,793 | B |
| Biology | $77,791 | C |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,750 | B+ |
| Computer Science | $103,132 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $93,152 | B |
| Computer Engineering | $107,790 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is Clarkson's highest-volume strong-ROI program: 155 graduates, $73,168 year-one, $90,286 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.369 (ROI grade B). ME graduates from Clarkson access manufacturing, defense, robotics, and energy sectors across the Northeast and nationally. The $90k four-year figure reflects solid career progression in engineering roles. Median debt of $27,000 keeps the ROI grade in B territory - a strong outcome at a sticker price of $59,398.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering delivers $80,942 year-one and $107,790 four-year for 27 graduates, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.334 (ROI grade B+). The four-year trajectory to $108k reflects both career progression and the premium that Clarkson's engineering brand commands in regional tech and defense markets. Median debt of $27,000 against $81k year-one earnings makes the debt position manageable from the first year of employment.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering (52 graduates) earns $75,887 year-one and $93,614 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.356 (ROI grade B). This is a strong outcome for a sub-specialized engineering field. Chemical engineering graduates access the pharmaceutical, petrochemical, food science, and environmental sectors. The 52-graduate volume provides meaningful labor market signal; outcomes are not driven by a handful of outliers.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering has 70 graduates with $70,136 year-one and $82,387 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.385 (ROI grade B). Infrastructure, environmental consulting, and public works sectors employ the bulk of Clarkson civil engineers. The year-one figure of $70k is competitive for civil engineering nationally; the Adirondack region's infrastructure investment and proximity to major Northeast markets keep placement rates strong.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 89.9% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 91.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.7% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.4% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Clarkson University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-32 |
| Enrollment | 2,196 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,357 |
Clarkson's admission rate is 77.4%. SAT mid-ranges (610-700 Math, 590-690 Reading) and ACT 25-32 indicate solid preparation. The relatively open admission reflects the self-selecting nature of applicants to a remote engineering school - students who apply are already committed to the STEM curriculum and willing to accept the location. Math preparation is the critical academic prerequisite.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkson University (this school) | 88 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | 89 | $42,513 | $101,253 |
| Ohio Northern University | 88 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | 84 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
Who Thrives Here
Clarkson admits 77.4% of applicants and enrolls 2,196 undergraduates in Potsdam, New York - a small city in the Adirondack region. SAT mid-ranges are 610-700 Math and 590-690 Reading; ACT composite 25-32. The Pell grant rate of 21.6% indicates moderate economic diversity. Students committed to STEM careers, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, environmental technology, or quantitative business, will find Clarkson's program depth and strong career outcomes compelling. The remote location is a genuine consideration - students who need urban infrastructure, cultural density, or regional employment internships should weigh whether Potsdam's isolation affects their career pathways.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, Clarkson University pays off. You'd pay about $30,305 a year after aid ($121,220 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $89,696 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 4.8 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 74.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $56,400 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Clarkson University: Common Questions
Is Clarkson University worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Clarkson University pays off. It scores 88/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $30,305 a year after aid ($121,220 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $89,696 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 4.8 years to earn back.
How much does Clarkson University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $30,305 a year, or roughly $121,220 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Clarkson University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $89,696 ten years after enrolling, roughly $47,896 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Clarkson University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 4.8 years for Clarkson University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Clarkson University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $26,000, against average earnings of $56,400 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Clarkson University?
The six-year graduation rate is 74.9%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.