Private Nonprofit Graduate Good 68/100

Clark University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Worcester, Massachusetts

About Clark University

Clark University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Worcester, Massachusetts. It enrolls 2,214 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
39.5%
Graduation
76.1%
Net Price
$28,714
Median Earnings (10yr)
$62,381
Enrollment
2,214
Student : Faculty
9:1

Accreditor New England Commission on Higher Education
Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good
68/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes 84
Value 27
Affordability 22
Selectivity 87

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 39.5%, Clark University is a selective institution.

Acceptance Rate
39.5%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1288 – 1460
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
30 – 33
Cumulative composite
Test Policy Not Considered Standardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Clark University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Getting more selective 11.1 pts since 2019
52.8%201947.1%202048%202150.3%202241.7%2023

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Clark University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $28,714 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$28,714
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
23%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
58%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$58,867
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,500
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,500
Books & Supplies
$900
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,050
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,050
Total Cost of Attendance
$68,432

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $18,188
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $13,313
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $21,971
  • $75,001 – $110,000
    $25,062
  • Over $110,000
    $39,035

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$5,500
10% percentile
$12,000
25% percentile
$26,759
Median percentile
$28,500
75% percentile
$34,682
90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $24,379 ↓ $2,380
No Pell $19,500 ↓ $7,259
Dependent students $21,769 ↓ $4,990
Independent students $25,000 ↓ $1,759
Female students $23,250 ↓ $3,509
Male students $19,500 ↓ $7,259
Pell recipients: 18.3% (4,890 students)No Pell: 14.6% (3,912 students)Dependent students: 16.3% (4,367 students)Independent students: 18.7% (5,015 students)Female students: 17.4% (4,664 students)Male students: 14.6% (3,912 students)Overall Median$26,759
Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($26,759), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

76% of full-time students who enrolled at Clark University graduate within six years, and 87% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
76%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
87%
Returning for their second year
What this means: Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Clark University earn a median of $62,381 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$62,381
Earning > $25K
84%
10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

$47,000$51,000$56,000$60,000$64,0006 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates
$53,700

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates
$56,400

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.


By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)
$49,200

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)
$54,800

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)
$56,800

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt 10.4 pts across 6 years
83.6%1yr84.1%3yr90.9%5yr94%7yr
What this signals: Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.

Who Studies Here

Clark University is home to 2,214 students, a mid-sized community.

Total Enrolled
2,214
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
16%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
White 62.0% 1,373
Hispanic 13.0% 288
Asian 6.9% 153
International 5.7% 127
Black 5.5% 121
Other 4.6% 101
White: 62.0% (1,373 students)Hispanic: 13.0% (288 students)Asian: 6.9% (153 students)International: 5.7% (127 students)Black: 5.5% (121 students)Other: 4.6% (101 students)Total2,214

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Clark University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Midsize City Worcester, Massachusetts
Housing
Strongly residential 1,773 beds for 2,214 students
Adult Learners
1% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semester scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Clark University offers an extensive catalog of programs: 69 distinct programs across 20 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

4 Programs
6 Programs
6 Programs
2 Programs
5 Programs
2 Programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Clark University is 9:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).

Student : Faculty
9:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$527M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$109,437
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

242 instructional faculty across 5 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Full Professors 65 27% $145,827
Associate Professors 62 26% $107,295
Assistant Professors 48 20% $100,737
Instructors 29 12% $72,216
Lecturers 38 16% $90,081

Pros & Cons of Clark University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Clark University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
  • Strong six-year graduation rate
  • Strong first-year retention
  • Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
  • Above-average net price
  • Selective admissions, solid academic profile expected
  • High published cost of attendance before aid
  • Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families

Frequently Asked Questions about Clark University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Clark University.

Is Clark University hard to get into?
Clark University is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 39.5%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at Clark University?
Clark University has an acceptance rate of 39.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Clark University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Clark University scored between 1288 and 1460 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Clark University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Clark University scored between 30 and 33 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Clark University cost?
The average net price after aid at Clark University is $28,714 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Clark University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $62,381 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $28,714 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Clark University known for?
Clark University is best known for its programs in Information Systems, Psychology, Management Sciences. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Clark University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Clark University are $62,381, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Clark University accredited?
Yes. Clark University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend Clark University?
Clark University enrolls 2,214 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Clark University?
Clark University graduates 76% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Clark University a public or private college?
Clark University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Clark University located?
Clark University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
What programs does Clark University offer?
Clark University offers 69 distinct programs. The most popular include Information Systems, Psychology, Management Sciences.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Clark University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Clark University is 9:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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