Head-to-Head Comparison
Clarkson University vs George Washington University
- Clarkson Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 12
- George Washington Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Clarkson University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While George Washington University achieves a higher graduation rate (85% vs 74%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $36,586 compared to Clarkson University's $30,305. Students who choose Clarkson University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $89,696 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Clarkson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $30,305, roughly $6,281 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
George Washington
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Clarkson University
- Higher grad rate: 85% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,449, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 47% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Clarkson graduates concentrate in Engineering (54% of degrees); George Washington in Social Sciences (33%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick George Washington University over Clarkson University. Median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment vs $89,696.
Pick Clarkson University over George Washington University. Net price $30,305 vs $36,586.
Pick Clarkson University over George Washington University. 3% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick George Washington University over Clarkson University. 85% completion rate vs 74%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clarkson University and George Washington University are close on paper, but George Washington University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
George Washington University is the harder admit. It takes 47% of applicants, while Clarkson University takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,304 to 1,433.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, George Washington University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Clarkson University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $30,305, about $6,281 a year below George Washington University's $36,586. Graduates of George Washington University also borrow less: median debt of $20,449, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,124 before any change in aid. Choosing Clarkson University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, George Washington University graduates report median earnings of $90,873, compared with $89,696 at Clarkson University. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, George Washington University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
George Washington University graduates a larger share of its students, 85% versus 74%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Clarkson University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3%; at George Washington University, it is 2.2%. Clarkson University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Clarkson University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Clarkson University to keep costs and debt down; pick George Washington University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Clarkson University saves about $6,281 a year, yet George Washington University graduates earn $1,177 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
George Washington University is harder to get into, with a 47% admit rate, but Clarkson University posts the higher mobility rate, at 3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Clarkson University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, while George Washington University leans toward Social Sciences, Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $20,449 at George Washington University.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $36,586 runs well above Clarkson University's $30,305.
- Engineering-focused students: Clarkson University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: George Washington University's enrollment of 11,182 far exceeds Clarkson University's 2,196.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
George Washington offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Clarkson does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of 77%, Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, is a solid choice for students seeking a blend of academic rigor and community feel. It's particularly suitable for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business and Marketing, Biology, Computer Science, and Psychology. The hands-on learning and collaborative environment stand out, making it easier for students to connect their studies to real-world applications.
Looking at what comes after graduation, the average earnings ten years out is $89,696. This figure is telling; it suggests that graduates from Clarkson tend to find good job opportunities that lead to solid financial stability. While the median debt is $26,000, the affordability of education here can help mitigate the long-term financial burden for many students.
When we talk about the practical side of attending Clarkson, the net price after aid hovers around $30,305. This cost is manageable compared to what many private institutions charge, especially when considering the potential return on investment. Students who thrive here are typically those who are proactive, engaged, and eager to apply their learning in real-world contexts. The supportive campus community also plays a role in helping students succeed.
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
George Washington University reports a striking graduation rate of 85%. This figure reflects the university's commitment to student success and its supportive academic environment. With a significant portion of students completing their degrees, GWU stands out for those seeking reliable pathways to graduation.
The earnings potential for graduates is compelling. Alumni earn an average of $90,873 within ten years of graduation. This income level positions graduates well within the job market, contributing to long-term financial stability. Although specific mobility data is not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are likely to improve their economic circumstances through their education at GWU.
The net price for attending George Washington University is $36,586, with a median debt of $20,449. This balance makes it an appealing choice for students who can manage costs while aiming for solid post-graduate earnings. GWU attracts those interested in fields like social sciences, health professions, and business, where graduates find ample opportunities to thrive in Washington, D.C.'s dynamic job market.
Rankings They Appear On
George Washington University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Clarkson's top program is Mechanical Engineering (54% of enrollment), while George Washington leads with Sociology (33%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Clarkson) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for George Washington).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clarkson University is strongest in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while George Washington University concentrates in Social Sciences, Health Professions, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Clarkson
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Clarkson University or George Washington University?
George Washington University is harder to get into, admitting 47% of applicants compared with 77% at Clarkson University.
Which is more affordable, Clarkson University or George Washington University?
Clarkson University is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,305 after aid versus $36,586 at George Washington University.
Do Clarkson University or George Washington University graduates earn more?
George Washington University graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,696 at Clarkson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clarkson University or George Washington University?
George Washington University has the higher graduation rate, 85% versus 74%.
Clarkson University vs George Washington University: which is better for social mobility?
Clarkson University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3% versus 2.2%.
Should you choose Clarkson University or George Washington University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Clarkson University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose George Washington University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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