Clarkson University Acceptance Rate
Potsdam, New York · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 7,347
- Admitted
- 5,669
- Yield
- 10.7%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Clarkson University's acceptance rate has risen from 62.1% in 2014–15 to 77.2% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 7,401 to 7,347 (-1%) over that period.
Its 77.2% rate makes Clarkson University more selective than about 48% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 119 tracked New York schools, it is more selective than about 38%.
In 2023–24, men were admitted at a higher rate (75.9% for women vs 78.9% for men, a 3-point gap). Clarkson University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 10.7% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 7,401 | 4,599 | 62.1% | 767 |
| 2015–16 | 6,906 | 4,700 | 68.1% | 792 |
| 2016–17 | 7,066 | 4,820 | 68.2% | 797 |
| 2017–18 | 7,000 | 4,600 | 65.7% | 677 |
| 2018–19 | 6,885 | 4,894 | 71.1% | 797 |
| 2019–20 | 6,673 | 4,978 | 74.6% | 790 |
| 2020–21 | 6,198 | 4,834 | 78% | 691 |
| 2021–22 | 7,011 | 5,229 | 74.6% | 740 |
| 2022–23 | 6,594 | 5,171 | 78.4% | 596 |
| 2023–24 | 7,347 | 5,669 | 77.2% | 608 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 3,367 | 2,557 | 75.9% |
| Men | 3,938 | 3,108 | 78.9% |
| Unknown | 42 | 4 | 9.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 593–690 | 49% |
| SAT Math | 605–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 26–31 | 8% |
How Clarkson University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Clarkson University's acceptance rate?
Clarkson University's acceptance rate is 77.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (5,669 admitted of 7,347 applicants).
Is Clarkson University test optional?
Clarkson University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Clarkson University?
Clarkson University received 7,347 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 5,669.
What SAT score do you need for Clarkson University?
Admitted students at Clarkson University typically scored 593–690 on SAT Reading/Writing and 605–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Clarkson University getting harder to get into?
Clarkson University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 62.1% in 2014–15 to 77.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.clarkson.edu/.