At $31,955/yr net price, Clarkson University graduates earn $89,696/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $55,696/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,955 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $127,820 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,696/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,696/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,521/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,328/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,800/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,329/yr |
| $110,001+ | $36,429/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master | $110,878 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $107,376 | $155,093 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $95,295 | $14,100 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $78,074 | $25,615 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $77,715 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $71,575 | $42,610 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,009 | $26,094 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,858 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
73.6% of students at Clarkson University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 26% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Clarkson turns out a strong financial return, and it's built almost entirely on engineering. You graduate with median debt near $26,000 and hit median earnings just under $90,000 a decade later, so the payback math works in your favor. A 73.6% graduation rate and 84.7% retention mean most people who start actually finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the price pays off.
The programs that pay are the technical ones. Computer science and computer engineering top the list, and every one of the five highest-earning bachelor's programs is an engineering or computing degree. If you come here for one of those, your debt load and starting salary line up cleanly. Clarkson doesn't list strong-earning programs outside STEM, so if you're aiming for a humanities, business, or general studies degree, there's no data here showing the price pays back, and you should question whether the sticker is worth it for you.
The main risk is fit. This is an expensive private school in rural northern New York, and the return depends on you sticking with a demanding engineering track. Switch out of STEM or leave before graduating, and you carry the cost without the payoff.
On price, the tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $19,000-$20,500 a year, well below the sticker. Once family income passes $75,000, the net price climbs above $33,000 and keeps rising, so middle and upper-middle families here pay close to full freight. Clarkson is a good financial bet if you're a lower-income student headed into engineering or computing. If you're paying the upper-tier price for a non-technical major, look harder at cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarkson University worth the cost?
Clarkson graduates earn $89,696 ten years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional given the $31,955 annual net price. The return on investment depends heavily on your major, with engineering and health programs significantly outperforming computer science and other fields.
What are the highest paying majors at Clarkson University?
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies leads at $110,878, followed by Allied Health programs at $107,376. Engineering-related fields earn $95,295, while computer science graduates earn notably less at $78,074 despite the field's general market strength.
How much debt do Clarkson University graduates have?
Median debt is $26,000, which is manageable compared to the $89,696 average earnings. However, students in lower-paying programs like computer science may struggle more with loan payments relative to their starting salaries.
Does Clarkson University have good job placement after graduation?
The 73.6% graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish, which affects overall ROI. Those who do graduate generally find employment, but earnings vary dramatically by program from $78,000 to over $110,000.