Head-to-head · 2026
Clarkson College vs College of Saint Mary
Compare average net price ($19,241 at Clarkson College; $16,590 at College of Saint Mary), ROI score (8.43 vs 8.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,876 vs $54,338), and admissions selectivity (78.2% acceptance at Clarkson College; 44.7% at College of Saint Mary) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Clarkson College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.43 ✓ | 8.19 |
| Avg net price | $19,241 | $16,590 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $76,964 | $66,360 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $16,104 | $24,510 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $16,104 | $24,510 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,876 ✓ | $54,338 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.2% | 44.7% |
| Graduation rate | 46.7% | 60.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 60.9% | 79.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,716 ✓ | $24,250 |
| Enrollment | 622 | 445 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1150 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Clarkson College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $14,090 |
| Family income $30–48k | $19,222 | $12,713 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,312 | $9,320 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,003 | $15,242 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,262 ✓ | $23,898 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Clarkson College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 65% | 15.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 18.8% | 8.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of Saint Mary reports the lower average net price by $2,651 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,604 difference over four years ($66,360 vs $76,964).
Clarkson College reports $10,538 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,876 vs $54,338). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 60.9% at Clarkson College and 79.8% at College of Saint Mary. Median federal debt among completers is $23,716 vs $24,250, respectively.
2 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Clarkson College vs College of Saint Mary, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of Saint Mary is cheaper — average net price $16,590 per year vs $19,241 at Clarkson College. The annual difference of $2,651 adds up to about $10,604 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Clarkson College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,876 vs $54,338 at College of Saint Mary. The gap in the federal data is $10,538. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
College of Saint Mary is more selective at 44.7% acceptance vs 78.2% at Clarkson College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.