Clarkson University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Clarkson University

Anneigh / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Clarkson University is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 71%. Located in Potsdam, New York on a 640-acre wooded campus, Clarkson is adjacent to Adirondack Park. Students can choose from over 91 programs of study with engineering, business, education, science, liberal arts, and health professions among the most popular with undergraduates. The university has a 14-to-1 student / faculty ratio. On the athletic front, most Clarkson teams compete in the NCAA Division III Liberty League, while the Golden Knights ice hockey teams compete in the Division I ECAC Hockey League.

Considering applying to Clarkson University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Clarkson University had an acceptance rate of 71%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 71 students were admitted, making Clarkson's admissions process somewhat competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2017-18)
Number of Applicants 6,885
Percent Admitted 71%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 16%

SAT Scores and Requirements

Clarkson University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 88% of admitted student submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 570 660
Math 590 690
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of Clarkson University's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Clarkson scored between 570 and 660, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 660. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 590 and 690, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 690. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1350 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Clarkson University.

Requirements

Clarkson University does not require the optional SAT essay. Note that Clarkson requires applicants to submit all SAT test scores and does not allow superscoring. SAT Subject tests are recommended but not required.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Clarkson requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 30% of admitted student submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 22 28
Math 25 29
Composite 24 30

This admissions data tell us that most of Clarkson's admitted students fall within the top 26% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Clarkson received a composite ACT score between 24 and 30, while 25% scored above 30 and 25% scored below 24.

Requirements

Note that Clarkson does not allow applicants to superscore ACT results; the university requires applicants to send all individual section scores. Clarkson does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

Clarkson University does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

Clarkson University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.
Clarkson University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Clarkson University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Clarkson University, which accepts fewer than three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. However, Clarkson also has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. While not required, Clarkson recommends interviews for interested applicants. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside Clarkson's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent students who were admitted to Clarkson University. Most had SAT scores of 1100 or higher (ERW+M), an ACT composite of 22 or higher, and a high school average of a "B" or better. The majority of admitted students had grades in the "A" range.

If You Like Clarkson University, You May Also Like These Schools

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Clarkson University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "Clarkson University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/clarkson-university-admissions-787430. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 29). Clarkson University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/clarkson-university-admissions-787430 Grove, Allen. "Clarkson University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/clarkson-university-admissions-787430 (accessed March 28, 2024).