Skidmore College vs Clark University

Skidmore College and Clark University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Skidmore, nestled in Saratoga Springs, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 34%, while Clark, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 45%. Skidmore's student body is predominantly female, with women comprising 63% of the undergraduate population, while Clark's gender distribution is more balanced, with 49% female and 51% male students. In terms of popular majors, Skidmore emphasizes the arts, with 33% of undergraduates pursuing degrees in the field, while Clark focuses on social sciences, with 30% of undergraduates majoring in the discipline. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Skidmore achieving a 86% four-year graduation rate and Clark reaching an 83% six-year graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional

	Clark University	Skidmore College
Overview
Location	Worcester, Massachusetts	Saratoga Springs, New York
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	90.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.0%	30.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $100	$65
SAT range	1218 - 1403	1270 - 1440
ACT range	27 - 30	29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	17.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	11.0%
Total number of applicants	8,151	11,176
Total number of admissions given out	3,915	3,419
Admitted students who chose to enroll	505	719
Yield rate	12.9%	21.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$62,302	$68,266
Average net price	$31,565	$31,553
Tuition	$49,950	$59,064
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,000 Meal plan: $4,150	Room/dormitory: $9,500 Meal plan: $6,568
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	95.0% Average amount $27,608	59.0% Average amount $43,391
Students receiving federal student loan	60.0% Average amount $5,282	39.0% Average amount $4,879
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $16,271	4.0% Average amount $26,954

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,302 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,686 Men 40.8% Women 59.2%
Graduate students	1,048 Men 49.3% Women 50.7%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	68.4%
International students	23.0%	9.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,633	2,188
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi New York Connecticut Maine New Jersey	New York Mississippi Connecticut New Jersey California

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Mathematics and Statistics Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences Visual & Performing Arts Education Foreign Languages and Literatures
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	79.0%	83.6%
Dropout rate	6.8%	3.5%
Transferred out	14.1%	12.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,601 Year 2: $64,328 Year 3: $76,941 Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,259 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $68,708 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,937 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $58,038 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,649 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $50,210 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $48,148 Year 2: $44,418 Year 3: $49,665 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,833 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $49,591 Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $32,656 Year 2: $39,639 Year 3: $47,508 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,412 Year 2: $34,526 Year 3: $46,715 Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,423 Year 3: $46,559 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $46,250	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,572 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $67,188 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,235 Year 2: $43,575 Year 3: $56,001 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $43,062 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,416 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $40,557 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,722 Year 2: $32,563 Year 3: $39,834 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $18,677 Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: $37,589 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,585 Year 2: $20,682 Year 3: $30,907 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,359 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,085 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Skidmore College and Clark University?

Skidmore College is a private, liberal arts college known for its strong integration of liberal arts and pre-professional programs, particularly in business, arts, and sciences. It emphasizes a close-knit community and a vibrant campus life in Saratoga Springs, NY. Clark University, on the other hand, is a private research university with a liberal arts core, located in Worcester, MA. Clark is known for its 'LEEP' (Liberal Education and Effective Practice) curriculum, which emphasizes real-world experience and social responsibility. Clark also has a stronger focus on graduate programs and research opportunities compared to Skidmore.
Where are Skidmore College and Clark University located, and how does location impact student life?

Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, a vibrant city known for its arts scene, horse racing, and natural beauty. This location offers students a blend of small-town charm and access to cultural events and outdoor activities. Clark University is situated in Worcester, Massachusetts, a mid-sized city with a diverse population and a growing arts and culture scene. Worcester provides students with access to urban amenities, internship opportunities, and a more diverse social environment. Boston is also easily accessible from Clark.
How do the academic programs and strengths of Skidmore College and Clark University compare?

Skidmore excels in programs like Business, Management, Economics, Theater, Dance, and the Sciences, offering a strong liberal arts foundation with pre-professional training. Clark University is particularly strong in Psychology, Geography, International Development, Political Science, and Environmental Science. Clark's 'LEEP' curriculum integrates practical experience into all academic programs. Both institutions offer a wide range of majors and minors, but their areas of emphasis differ.
What is the student body like at Skidmore College versus Clark University?

Skidmore College typically has a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit and collaborative community. The student body is drawn from across the US and internationally, with a strong emphasis on arts and humanities. Clark University has a slightly larger undergraduate population and a significant graduate student presence. Clark's student body is known for its diversity and its commitment to social justice and global issues.
How do the campus cultures and extracurricular activities differ between Skidmore College and Clark University?

Skidmore College has a vibrant campus culture with a strong emphasis on the arts, performance, and student-led organizations. There's a strong sense of community and school spirit. Clark University's campus culture is characterized by its commitment to social activism, intellectual curiosity, and global engagement. Students are actively involved in community service, research, and advocacy. Both offer a wide range of clubs and activities, but their focus areas differ.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Skidmore College and Clark University?

Both Skidmore College and Clark University offer comprehensive career services to help students prepare for their future careers. Skidmore emphasizes internships and networking opportunities in fields related to business, arts, and sciences. Clark University's 'LEEP' program integrates practical experience into the curriculum, providing students with opportunities for internships, research, and community engagement. Clark's location near Boston also provides access to a wider range of internship opportunities.
How do the costs of attending Skidmore College and Clark University compare, and what financial aid options are available?

Both Skidmore College and Clark University are private institutions, and their tuition costs are comparable. Both offer need-based and merit-based financial aid packages to eligible students. It's important to visit their respective financial aid websites to get an accurate estimate of the cost of attendance based on your individual circumstances. Factors like scholarships, grants, and loans will influence the final cost.
What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for Skidmore College and Clark University?

Both Skidmore College and Clark University have selective admission processes. Admission requirements typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (though both are test-optional), essays, and letters of recommendation. Acceptance rates vary from year to year, but both institutions are considered competitive. Check their respective admissions websites for the most up-to-date information on requirements and acceptance rates.
Which college is better for students interested in the arts?

While both colleges offer strong arts programs, Skidmore College is generally considered to have a stronger emphasis on the performing and visual arts. Skidmore's dedicated arts facilities and renowned faculty in areas like theater, dance, and studio art make it a particularly attractive option for students passionate about the arts. Clark offers strong programs in visual and performing arts as well, but Skidmore's reputation in the arts is more widely recognized.
Which college is better for students interested in international studies or global issues?

Clark University is generally considered to be stronger in international studies and global issues. Its 'LEEP' curriculum emphasizes global engagement and social responsibility, and it offers a wide range of programs and research opportunities related to international development, political science, and environmental sustainability. Skidmore also offers programs in these areas, but Clark's focus is more pronounced.

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