Students at Clarkson University achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the very best nationally for financial outcomes.
Graduates consistently outperform expectations while earning substantially more than peers at comparable institutions, reflecting the university's technical focus and strong industry connections.
Clarkson University delivers exceptional return on investment, ranking among the top performers nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. Located in Potsdam, New York, this private research university specializes in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, with graduates earning a median of $89,696 ten years after enrollment. What makes Clarkson particularly compelling is how consistently its graduates outperform earnings expectations, achieving some of the strongest financial outcomes among similar institutions nationwide.
The university maintains selective admissions while focusing intensively on STEM fields that lead directly into high-paying careers. With about 20% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 15% being first-generation college students, Clarkson serves a more affluent student body but delivers outstanding results for those who attend. The institution's engineering programs, computer science offerings, and technical focus create a pipeline into industries where starting salaries are strong and career growth is substantial.
As a medium-sized private research university, Clarkson combines the personal attention of a smaller institution with the resources and industry connections of a major technical school. For families willing to invest in higher net prices, the long-term financial returns consistently justify the upfront costs through exceptional career outcomes and earnings that far exceed typical expectations.
Clarkson University's program portfolio centers almost entirely on engineering and technical fields that lead directly into high-paying careers. The university's strength lies in its concentrated focus rather than broad academic diversity, with virtually every major program designed to prepare students for technical industries where starting salaries are strong and career growth is substantial.
Mechanical Engineering dominates both enrollment and aggregate return, graduating 175 students annually with median earnings of $67,802. This program represents Clarkson's largest academic investment and consistently produces graduates who enter manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and energy industries. Computer Science, though smaller with 28 graduates, achieves the highest individual earnings at $78,074, reflecting the premium that technology companies place on Clarkson's rigorous technical preparation.
Civil Engineering graduates 72 students per year with solid median earnings of $60,325, preparing students for infrastructure, construction, and environmental consulting roles. Even Engineering Design, which shows the lowest median earnings among Clarkson's programs at $63,749, still delivers financial outcomes that exceed most liberal arts majors at other institutions. This consistency across all technical programs reflects Clarkson's institutional focus and the strong demand for its graduates in engineering and technology sectors.
Clarkson University graduates achieve outstanding long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the very best nationally for return on investment. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $89,696, with the university ranking in the 97th percentile nationally for earnings performance. Even more impressive, Clarkson graduates earn about $2,613 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating consistent earnings beyond expectations that reflect the university's technical focus and strong industry connections.
The strongest financial returns come from Clarkson's engineering programs, which dominate the academic landscape. Mechanical Engineering, the largest program with 175 graduates, produces median earnings of $67,802 and represents the highest aggregate return among all majors. Computer Science graduates, though fewer in number at 28 students, achieve the highest individual earnings at $78,074 ten years out. Civil Engineering graduates 72 students annually with solid median earnings of $60,325, while Engineering Design rounds out the core technical offerings with 67 graduates earning $63,749.
This concentration in high-return STEM fields explains Clarkson's exceptional earnings performance. The university's technical focus, combined with strong industry partnerships and a curriculum designed around practical applications, consistently produces graduates who command premium salaries in engineering, technology, and related fields. The result is a clear pattern of financial success that extends across virtually all of Clarkson's major programs.
Clarkson University requires a substantial financial commitment, with net prices that reflect its position as a selective private research institution. Low-income families pay approximately $20,521 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $26,800 per year, and high-income families see net prices reaching $36,429. These figures place Clarkson in the 13th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning most public and many private institutions offer lower net prices across all income levels.
The higher costs reflect both Clarkson's private status and its intensive focus on expensive-to-deliver STEM programs that require significant laboratory facilities, equipment, and specialized faculty. While the upfront investment is considerable, the university's exceptional earnings outcomes help justify these costs for families who can manage them. The combination of strong career placement, high starting salaries, and long-term earning potential creates a financial equation where the initial investment typically pays off substantially over time.
For families considering Clarkson, the key consideration is whether they can handle the higher net prices in exchange for virtually guaranteed strong career outcomes. The university's track record of placing graduates into well-paying technical careers, combined with earnings that consistently exceed expectations, makes the financial commitment more manageable for those who can afford the upfront costs.
Clarkson University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
