Clark University
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. strong 77% graduation rate; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Clark University is a private nonprofit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts with approximately 2,214 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 40% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $28,714 per year. The graduation rate is 77%, and the typical graduate earns $54,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
Clark University is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1887 with a large endowment from its namesake Jonas Gilman Clark, a prominent businessman, Clark was one of the first modern research universities in the United States. Originally an all-graduate institution, Clark's first undergraduates entered in 1902 and women were first enrolled in 1942.
Founded in 1887 as one of America's first research universities, this small Worcester school punches above its weight academically, and the median debt of $22,141 at graduation is quite manageable relative to the $54,700 median earnings at the 10-year mark. Worth considering if you want a research-focused environment without the massive campus crowd — the 88% freshman retention rate suggests students who enroll tend to stick around and feel at home. The 77% graduation rate is decent but not exceptional, so if you're someone who needs strong academic support structures, ask pointed questions about what's in place to help students finish.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Clark University graduates earn most above the national rate in Business Administration, Management and Operations ($84,234 vs $68,257 nationally), and most below it in Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($52,075 vs $55,012).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 112 | $61,203 | $50,706 | +$10,497 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 50 | $84,234 | $68,257 | +$15,977 |
| Biology, General | 42 | $58,429 | $57,214 | +$1,215 |
| Economics | 38 | $91,094 | $82,686 | +$8,408 |
| Political Science and Government | 38 | $68,174 | $63,293 | +$4,881 |
| Computer Science | 23 | $115,804 | $107,009 | +$8,795 |
| History | 21 | $53,926 | $50,680 | +$3,246 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 21 | $38,844 | $41,367 | −$2,523 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 20 | $52,075 | $55,012 | −$2,937 |
| Sociology | 19 | $64,988 | $52,657 | +$12,331 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 19 | $46,113 | $48,590 | −$2,477 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 17 | $60,649 | $55,000 | +$5,649 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,214 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Clark University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Clark University?
Clark University has an acceptance rate of 40%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Clark University hard to get into?
Clark University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 40%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Clark University cost?
The average net price at Clark University is about $28,714 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Clark University?
Clark University has a graduation rate of 77%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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