Clarkson University vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass)
Clarkson University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clarkson, a private research university in Potsdam, New York, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and is renowned for its engineering, business, and health sciences programs. UMass-Amherst, a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts, has a higher acceptance rate of 81% and excels in fields such as liberal arts, social sciences, and agriculture. While both universities have diverse student bodies, Clarkson's student population is smaller, fostering a close-knit community, while UMass-Amherst's larger student body provides a vibrant and bustling campus atmosphere. With varying graduation rates, Clarkson's 83% and UMass-Amherst's 78%, prospective students are encouraged to explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Clarkson University |
![]() University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
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Overview |
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Location | Potsdam, New York | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 74.6% | 65.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1180 - 1380 | 1250 - 1460 |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 5.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,011 | 42,540 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,229 | 27,877 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 740 | 4,872 |
Yield rate | 14.2% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,716 |
In state:
$32,434
Out of state:
$52,959
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Average net price | $31,413 | $17,291 |
Tuition | $53,100 |
In state:
$15,791
Out of state:
$36,316
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,726
Meal plan:
$7,518
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Room/dormitory:
$7,611
Meal plan:
$5,984
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,981 |
86.0%
Average amount $10,662 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
71.0%
Average amount $5,323 |
39.0%
Average amount $5,123 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $16,547 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,924 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,852
Men 69.3% Women 30.7% |
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
1,101
Men 55.4% Women 44.6% |
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 34.8% | N/A |
International students | 8.6% | 11.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,482 | 13,582 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York Mississippi Connecticut Vermont New Hampshire | New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 75.6% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 7.1% | 5.1% |
Transferred out | 17.1% | 10.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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