Head-to-Head Comparison
Clarkson University vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Clarkson Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 13
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Clarkson University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (80% vs 74%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $42,513 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.
47 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 $12,208 a year less
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 13% more than Clarkson University
- Higher grad rate: 80% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Clarkson graduates concentrate in Engineering (54% of degrees); Rose-Hulman Technology in Engineering (73%). 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 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Clarkson University. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $89,696.
Pick Clarkson University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $30,305 vs $42,513.
Pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Clarkson University. 80% completion rate vs 74%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clarkson University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 77% of applicants, while Clarkson University takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,304 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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 $12,208 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $25,000, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,832 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, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $101,253, compared with $89,696 at Clarkson University. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 80% versus 74%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Clarkson University to keep costs and debt down; pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Clarkson University saves about $12,208 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $11,557 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Clarkson University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leans toward Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Clarkson University's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Clarkson University's $30,305.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Clarkson University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Rose-Hulman Technology 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) 3 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
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.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Rankings They Appear On
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 54% of Clarkson's student body and 73% of Rose-Hulman Technology's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Clarkson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clarkson University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Clarkson University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 77% of applicants compared with 77% at Clarkson University.
Which is more affordable, Clarkson University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Clarkson University is more affordable, with an average net price of $30,305 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Clarkson University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,696 at Clarkson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clarkson University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 80% versus 74%.
Should you choose Clarkson University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Clarkson University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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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