Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Clark University #995 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,798 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 18.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Clark University #858 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Clark University is a private research university (Carnegie R2) in Worcester, Massachusetts, enrolling roughly 2,214 undergraduates. Retention stands at 86.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 76.9%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. 23.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.3% are first-generation college students, positioning Clark as an access-oriented institution within the private nonprofit sector. Azimuth ranks Clark University #995 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite is anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks Clark University #858 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,965, and Clark University earn about $10,798 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 18.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Clark University sits in the 59.1 percentile for access and the 17.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. These rankings reflect Clark's positioning as a selective private institution with a higher sticker price, though need-based aid reshapes affordability for families that qualify. The institution's social-sciences focus and strong outcomes for graduates entering knowledge-economy careers underscore Clark's value proposition for students prioritizing long-term financial returns over lowest upfront cost.
Clark University's published cost of attendance is $68,432. Net price varies meaningfully by family income: low-income families pay approximately $18,188, middle-income families pay around $21,971, and higher-income families pay approximately $39,035. Azimuth ranks Clark University #1180 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and at Clark the gap between published cost and what families actually pay depends heavily on need-based aid eligibility. Clark University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Need-based aid packages vary by individual circumstances, so some families in each income band pay more and some less than the figures shown above. The institution does not offer merit scholarships, keeping the aid structure need-based. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,759, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,407; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,965, median federal debt of $26,759 projects to a monthly payment of about $302 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Clark University is a strong fit for students drawn to the Social Sciences and related fields who want a small private university experience in MA, with a balance of academic rigor and career preparation. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,965, placing Clark University in the 63.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $10,798 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clark University in the 18.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a moderate share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 23.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.3% are first-generation — with a 73.2% Pell graduation rate that exceeds national averages. Published cost of attendance is $39,035, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying students. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 39.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Social Sciences and related fields over some applied-professional disciplines. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to the MA no-degree baseline of $37,113.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Clark University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Clark University's published cost of attendance is $68,432. Net price varies meaningfully by family income: low-income families pay approximately $18,188, middle-income families pay around $21,971, and higher-income families pay approximately $39,035.
Azimuth ranks Clark University #1180 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and at Clark the gap between published cost and what families actually pay depends heavily on need-based aid eligibility.
Clark University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Need-based aid packages vary by individual circumstances, so some families in each income band pay more and some less than the figures shown above. The institution does not offer merit scholarships, keeping the aid structure need-based.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,759, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,407; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,965, median federal debt of $26,759 projects to a monthly payment of about $302 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Clark University earn median 4-year earnings of $63,965, placing Clark University in the 63.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,798 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clark University in the 18.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Clark University #858 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Clark University's program portfolio is anchored in Social Sciences, which shapes the institution's earnings profile.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 87 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,203, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. Graphic Communications and Business Administration also enroll substantial cohorts, with Business Administration graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $84,234 at 1.2x the benchmark.
Political Science and Biology, General round out the top five, with Political Science graduates earning $68,174 and Biology, General graduates earning $58,429. Together, these programs reflect Clark University's commitment to fields that deliver consistent post-graduation outcomes aligned with labor-market demand.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Higher acceptance rate (29.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 38 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 71% | $67,725 | Compare |
Nichols College Higher acceptance rate (46.5 percentage points higher) and located 15 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 88% | $58,063 | Compare |
Worcester State University Higher acceptance rate (48.2 percentage points higher) and located 2 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MA | 90% | $60,624 | Compare |
Cuny Queens College Higher acceptance rate (26.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 69% | $62,763 | Compare |
Drew University Higher acceptance rate (27.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 69% | $63,646 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gannon University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28228 ranked) | PA | 74% | $58,845 | #28228 | Compare |
John Carroll University Similar quality tier (#28229 ranked) | OH | 81% | $62,860 | #28229 | Compare |
University Of New Haven Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28226 ranked) | CT | 60% | $60,126 | #28226 | Compare |
Mount St. Mary's University Similar quality tier (#28233 ranked) | MD | 74% | $64,072 | #28233 | Compare |
University Of Sioux Falls Similar quality tier (#28225 ranked) | SD | 83% | $54,521 | #28225 | Compare |
Computer Science
27 graduates
Economics
37 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
53 graduates
Political Science and Government
46 graduates
Sociology
28 graduates
Clark University's program mix centers on Social Sciences, a signature that shapes both enrollment patterns and career outcomes. The largest programs by cohort are Psychology, General with 87 graduates, Graphic Communications with 64 graduates, Business Administration with 53 graduates, Political Science with 46 graduates, and Biology, General with 43 graduates.
Across 27 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 645 students annually. The highest-earning programs at Clark University reflect both quantitative and applied social-science strengths.
Computer Science leads with median 4-year earnings of $115,804 from 27 graduates, followed by Economics at $91,094 with 37 graduates and Business Administration at $84,234 with 53 graduates. Political Science and Sociology round out the top earners with median 4-year earnings of $68,174 and $64,988 respectively.
The concentration of earnings strength in these fields reflects Clark University's positioning as a social-sciences-focused institution where quantitative and policy-oriented majors command stronger labor-market premiums. The program-mix distribution underscores this identity.
Social Sciences represents 20% of degrees, Business accounts for 9%, and Arts comprises 9%, together anchoring the institution's academic portfolio in fields where graduates enter both direct-to-workforce and graduate-school-dependent pathways. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market trends and long-term career mobility.
