At $27,711/yr net price, Clark University graduates earn $62,381/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,381/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,711 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,844 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,381/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,381/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,759 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,629/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,377/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,719/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,104/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,832/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $74,576 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $64,328 | $32,550 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Doctoral | $57,318 | |
| Geography and Cartography. | Master | $52,733 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master | $48,432 | |
| Biology, General. | Master | $46,087 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $44,418 | |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Master | $39,639 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $37,208 |
The Risk Factor
77.1% of students at Clark University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Clark University gives you a mixed financial return. At a $27,711 net price with $62,381 median earnings a decade out, you clear costs eventually, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. The 87.91% retention and 77.10% graduation rate mean you are likely to finish, which matters because debt without a degree is the worst outcome.
Your major decides almost everything here. Computer science graduates earn roughly double what biology, communication, and social sciences graduates make. If you leave Clark with a CS bachelor's, the numbers work well against your debt load. If you leave with biology or communication, you are earning in the low-to-mid $30,000s while carrying around $26,000 in debt, which is a slow climb. Management sciences lands in the same weak range near $37,000. Outside of computer science, the listed programs do not produce strong early earnings.
The specific risk at Clark is borrowing a private-school price for a program that pays like a modest public-school degree. Worcester and the greater Boston region have a strong tech market that rewards the CS path, but the biology and communication salaries here suggest those fields are not converting into high local pay.
The income tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $15,000-$16,000, well below sticker. The middle band, $48,000-$110,000, pays $20,000-$25,000. Above $110,000, you pay $38,832, close to full freight, so the value case gets harder unless you are in a high-earning major.
Clark is a good financial fit if you plan to major in computer science or you qualify for the lower-income net prices. Look elsewhere if you are a full-pay family aiming at biology, communication, or social sciences, where the debt outpaces the early salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clark University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Clark University's 10-year median earnings of $62,381 are below average for its $27,711 annual net price. With typical debt of $26,759, graduates need about 5-6 years to pay off loans, which is reasonable but not exceptional.
What are the best paying majors at Clark University?
Computer Science graduates earn the most at $74,576 after 10 years, followed by Business majors at $64,328. Geography and Natural Resources programs show lower returns around $48,000-$57,000.
Does Clark University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Clark's net price of $27,711 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is higher. However, this still leaves most students with significant debt relative to post-graduation earnings.
What are the biggest financial risks of attending Clark University?
With a 77% graduation rate, about 1 in 4 students don't finish, risking debt without a degree. Lower-paying majors may struggle to justify the cost, especially if students borrow beyond the median debt amount.