Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Clarkson University #657 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,961 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarkson University in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #144 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #657 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R2) in Potsdam, NY, Clarkson University enrolls roughly 2,196 undergraduates. Retention is 84.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 74.9%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Clarkson University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #144 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $91,312, and earn about $12,961 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarkson University in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's engineering-focused curriculum and strong employer connections in technical fields that command solid early-career pay. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Clarkson University sits in the 25.4 percentile for access and the 12.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 21.6% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 15.3% first-generation, the institution serves a more limited low-income population than many peers. The private tuition structure and regional location in upstate New York shape both affordability positioning and the overall composite rank. For admitted students, the engineering emphasis and strong outcomes in technical careers remain the institution's defining economic signature.
Clarkson University's published cost of attendance is $79,022. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families see a net price of approximately $21,335, middle-income families pay around $23,321, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,757. Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #1242 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Clarkson's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. The institution meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile to determine eligibility for need-based aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $36,890; 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 $91,312, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Clarkson University is a strong fit for students seeking a private research university with engineering and STEM focus in NY's Northeast region. Its outcomes are especially compelling for students interested in Engineering fields, which represent 59% of degrees awarded. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $91,312, placing Clarkson University in the 93.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $12,961 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 90.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls 21.6% Pell-eligible and 15.3% first-generation undergraduates, with 77.7% of Pell students completing degrees. Published cost of attendance is $79,022 with typical federal debt at graduation of $26,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 77.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Engineering and quantitative fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong earnings trajectories supported by the university's research focus.
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 Clarkson 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.
Clarkson University's published cost of attendance is $79,022. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families see a net price of approximately $21,335, middle-income families pay around $23,321, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,757.
Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #1242 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Clarkson's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. The institution meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities.
Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile to determine eligibility for need-based aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $36,890; 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 $91,312, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 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 Clarkson University earn median 4-year earnings of $91,312, placing Clarkson University in the 93.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn about $12,961 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Clarkson University in the 90.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Clarkson University #144 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects Clarkson University's engineering-focused program portfolio. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 158 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $90,286, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
The Civil Engineering program graduates 90 students earning $82,387, and the The Engineering-Related Fields program graduates 63 students earning $88,793. Chemical Engineering and Biology, General round out the top five, with 45 and 43 graduates respectively earning $93,614 and $77,791.
This concentration in Engineering — where 59% of degrees are awarded — drives strong early-career outcomes and sustained earnings growth through the decade.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simmons University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15715 ranked) | MA | 70% | $63,494 | #15715 | Compare |
University Of Redlands Similar quality tier (#15726 ranked) | CA | 83% | $72,690 | #15726 | Compare |
Carleton College Similar quality tier (#15712 ranked) | MN | 20% | $75,525 | #15712 | Compare |
Suffolk University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15737 ranked) | MA | 82% | $67,506 | #15737 | Compare |
Rockhurst University Similar quality tier (#15742 ranked) | MO | 70% | $67,102 | #15742 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
28 graduates
Computer Science
19 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
32 graduates
Chemical Engineering
45 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
17 graduates
Clarkson University's program mix is anchored in engineering and applied technical fields, a signature shaped by the institution's identity as a private research university with deep roots in STEM education. Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 158 graduates annually, followed by Civil Engineering, Engineering-Related Fields, Chemical Engineering, and Biology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 682 students annually, the institution concentrates its degree output in Engineering (representing 59% of graduates), Business (representing 7%), and other STEM fields (representing 3%). The earnings pattern reflects this engineering-forward positioning.
Computer Engineering leads with median earnings of $107,790 four years after enrollment across 28 graduates, followed by Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering at $97,750 (with 32 graduates), Chemical Engineering at $93,614, Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering at $91,066, and Mechanical Engineering at $90,286. These programs cluster in applied engineering, computer science, and quantitative business fields where graduates enter the national labor market directly and earnings reflect strong employer demand for technical skills.
Clarkson University's program portfolio supports high-mobility career pathways where graduates move into engineering, technology, finance, and applied-science roles with sustained wage growth. The concentration in technical fields aligns with national labor-market demand for skilled engineers and computer scientists, positioning graduates competitively in sectors with strong wage growth.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Clarkson University's dominant program families align with national workforce trends.
