Overview of Clark University

Clark University is a private research institution with an acceptance rate of 59%. Situated in Worcester, Massachusetts, Clark was initially founded in 1887 as a graduate school. Today, the institution has a robust undergraduate focus in the liberal arts and sciences that has earned it a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Programs emphasize hands-on research and problem-solving. The institution boasts of a 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio and a mean class size of 21. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 3,122 (2,304 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 39 percent male/61 percent female
• 98 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $47,200
• Books: $800
• Room and Board: $9,480
• Other Expenses: $950
• Total Cost: $58,430

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 92 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 90 percent
  • Loans: 59 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $25,051
  • Loans: $6,878

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Visual and Performing Arts; and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 87 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 17 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 71 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 77 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball
•  The Clark Cougars play in NCAA Division III athletics.

Overview of Clark University Admissions

Clark University, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a competitive admissions process. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Clark University had an acceptance rate of 59%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 59 students gained admission, making Clark’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Clark University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores to the institution, but they are not required. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 51% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Clark’s admitted students scored in the top 20% on the SAT. For the reading and writing section, 50% of Clark’s students who gained admission scored 610 and 700, while 25% scored below 610, and 25% scored over 700. In the math section, 50% of students who gained admission scored 590 and 690, while 25% scored below 590, and 25% scored over 690. The data tells us that a cumulative SAT score of 1390 or higher is competitive for Clark.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Clark University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores to the institution, but they are not required. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 20% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Clark’s admitted students scored in the top 11% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Clark received a cumulative ACT score between 28 and 31, while 25% scored over 31, and 25% scored below 28.

GPA

The average high school GPA of Clark University’s freshmen class was 3.67 in 2019, and over 50% had mean GPAs of 3.75 and above. Successful applicants have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Clark University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Clark University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

United States Military Academy, Texas Christian University, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University, University of Alabama

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Clark University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, Drexel University, University of California, Davis, Chapman University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Clark University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

New York University, Villanova University, Binghamton University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Applying to Clark University

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.clarku.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.clarku.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.clarku.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.clarku.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/how-to-apply/