Clark University Ranking

Worcester, USA

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#Top 798

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Private

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Do You Know?
Clark University has reported an average of $5.58 million in annual research expenditures over the past five years.

Charles C. Agosta received a $793,567 grant from the National Science Foundation for developing a fast-cooling pulsed magnet design.
Hamed Alemohammad secured a $247,425 grant from NASA for aquaculture and wetlands research.

Clark University, founded in 1887 in Worcester, Massachusetts, is recognized for its academic excellence and innovative programs. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Clark is positioned at #132 among National Universities and #42 in Best Value Schools.

The Princeton Review ranks its undergraduate game design program third globally, while the Becker School of Design & Technology's MFA program holds the seventh spot worldwide. Additionally, Clark's School of Business is AACSB-accredited, placing it among the 5% of business schools globally.

With over 4,000 students, Clark University ranking has made it a preferred destination for a diverse student population, including those from India wanting to study in the USA.

Clark University Rankings 2025-26

Clark University is known for its influential academic programs and groundbreaking research, and it continues to secure notable spots in various global rankings. Clark University is ranked #132 among National Universities by US News ranking 2026, while it falls within the 1001-1200 range in QS rankings and 601–800 in THE rankings.

The university has experienced fluctuations in global rankings over the past five years. To gauge Clark’s performance, let’s analyze how its rankings have changed:

Ranking Bodies	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
QS World University Rankings	601-650	751-800	801-850	951-1000	1001-1200
THE World University Rankings	501-600	601-800	601-800	601-800	NA
THE World University Rankings	103	97	142	132	NA

The changing trends of Clark University ranking can be captured through the following graphical representation:

Clark University's recent global rankings highlight varied trends across prominent ranking bodies. In the QS Rankings, Clark has experienced a gradual decline from #601-650 in 2022 to #1001-1200 in 2026.

Meanwhile, the THE Rankings depict stabilization, with Clark positioned consistently in the #601-800 range from 2023 to 2026, after an earlier peak at #501-600 in 2022.

In contrast, the U.S. News Rankings indicate some fluctuation. Clark was ranked #132 in 2026, down from a notable peak at #97 in 2023, yet remains competitive within the national landscape.

After reviewing the university rankings, let’s explore detailed rankings for specific subjects on ranking platforms like THE and U.S. News.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Clark University 2025

Subject-wise rankings assess academic quality and program reputation, guiding students in making informed decisions about college and programs. Clark University offers programs across multiple disciplines, with social sciences and psychology ranking among the top 400 by THE rankings.

Here’s how Clark University’s programs perform across multiple ranking bodies:

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025

The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings are based on indicators such as teaching, research, citations, and industry income. Clark’s dominance shows across numerous disciplines, especially in social science (#251), where it holds its position under 300 year after year.

Here’s how various programs at Clark University perform:

Subject	Ranking for 2025
Social Sciences	251-300
Psychology	301-400
Physical Sciences	601-800

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

U.S. News Rankings 2026

The U.S. News rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, student debt, and student-faculty ratio. Clark's programs, such as its business courses, are ranked among the top 300.

Here’s how various programs rank in the U.S. News rankings:

Subject	Ranking for 2025
Clinical Psychology	80
Economics	161
Business Courses	248

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

Now that you’ve explored the subject rankings of Clark University, let’s take a look at how Clark performs in other rankings.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

Clark University has consistently earned high marks for its performance in diverse areas beyond traditional academic rankings. Accolades from exceptional programs in Film to Photography(#32) underline Clark's distinctive blend of educational, social responsibility, and student-centric education among the top universities of the USA.

Here’s the performance of Clark University in different areas:

Ranking Category	Year	Ranking
Best Colleges for Film & Photography (USA)	2025	#32
Best Colleges with No Application Fee (USA)	2025	#58
Best Small Colleges in America	2025	#85
Best Colleges for History (USA)	2025	#102
Best Colleges in America	2025	#270
Most Competitive Students (USA)	2025	#6
Center for World University Rankings (Global University Rankings)	2024	#1,459 (Top 7% worldwide)

Now, let's explore the academic and extracurricular achievements that promote Clark University admissions.

Clark University: Excellence and Achievements

Clark University stands out through its specific achievements in academics, community engagement, and cultural creativity, going beyond traditional rankings, positioning itself as a leader in the education system in the USA.

The university is notably recognized for its strength in small-class undergraduate teaching, significant support for economically disadvantaged students, and excellence in niche fields like film, photography, and game design.

Below is a precise breakdown highlighting Clark's distinct accolades across these critical categories:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Clark University has consistently gained attention for its intense undergraduate instruction, distinctive courses, and educational model. Its smaller student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 has facilitated personalized instruction and is recognized consistently in national rankings.
Here are some significant recognitions:

Category	Recognition
Top 10 Small National Universities	Ranked among the top 10 U.S. national universities with enrollments under 5,000 (U.S. News & World Report, 2023).
Best Undergraduate Teaching	Ranked #41 nationally for excellence in undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report, 2023).
Faculty Distinctions	Numerous faculty members have earned national and international awards, emphasizing Clark’s academic credentials.

Next, let's see how Clark has been developing its student community as an inclusive one.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Clark University significantly emphasizes student life, creating an inclusive and enriching community with 130 active student clubs that support academic success while prioritizing personal well-being.

It promotes social responsibility and is recognized nationally for social mobility, community involvement, and enhancing students' overall campus life quality.

Here are some of Clark's community development initiatives and recognitions:

Category	Recognition
Social Mobility & Inclusivity	Ranked #98 for Social Mobility (U.S. News, 2023), indicating success in supporting economically disadvantaged students.
Community Engagement Initiatives	Recognized nationally for revitalizing Worcester neighborhoods via the University Park Partnership community development initiatives.
Campus Life & Student Activities	Over 130 active student clubs and organizations enhance campus engagement and student leadership. (source)

Now, let’s explore how the university promotes creative and cultural initiatives for international students.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Clark University celebrates cultural diversity and creative expression, providing a fertile ground for students to explore and showcase their artistic talents. The university's cultural initiatives, including the Game Design Program, bring together students from various backgrounds to celebrate global traditions.

Through numerous project-based learning in the arts, the university promotes an environment where students can cultivate their artistic talents through exhibitions or cultural exchanges.

Some notable creative initiatives and recognitions include:

Category	Recognition
Game Design Program	Ranked #3 worldwide for undergraduate game design by Princeton Review (2023–2024).
Film & Photography	Ranked #32 in Best Colleges for Film & Photography in America by Niche (2025).
Most Competitive Students	Ranked #6 nationally for Most Competitive Students by Princeton Review (2025), showcasing the ambition and talent of its student community.

Now that you’ve explored Clark’s achievements in academics, culture, and community development, let’s understand the relationship between ranking and acceptance rates.

Clark University: Rankings Vs Acceptance Rate

Clark University's acceptance rate stands at approximately 42%, indicating a moderately selective admissions process. The university offers a diverse range of programs, each with varying levels of competitiveness.
For instance, Psychology and Business Administration courses are most desired, often correlating with higher rankings and slightly lower acceptance rates. Conversely, programs in Environmental Science and Sociology may have different dynamics, with varying levels of demand and selectivity.
Though specific program acceptance rates are not available, here are some of the top courses and their estimated acceptance rates:

Course	Acceptance Rate
Master of Business Administration	Approximately 42%
MS in Data Analytics
MS in Information Technology
BS Biotechnology
BS Cybersecurity

Note: All programs have the same acceptance rate.

Prospective students should balance their academic strengths and career goals when applying to ensure they select programs aligned with their aspirations.

Now, let's check out the methodologies used for rankings.

Ranking Methodologies

QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report are the leading university ranking systems that have become benchmarks for assessing university performance.

Each ranking focuses on aspects such as academic reputation, research quality, and global outlook to gauge the performance of universities.

Here’s a detailed look at the criteria used for ranking universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS world ranking emphasizes employer reputation and academic outcomes, obtained from surveys of thousands of educational experts and employers worldwide. It also gives importance to faculty research and international student admissions.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
Research and Discovery	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
Employability and Outcomes	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

Next, explore how THE Rankings evaluate institutions differently, with more weight on teaching and research quality.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on research influence, teaching reputation, and staff-to-student ratio. It also emphasizes international diversity and industry income, assessing how well universities collaborate with industries and global academic networks.

This methodology helps compare universities focusing on academic excellence and research. leadership Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor's ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
Industry	Patents	2%

Now, take a closer look at the U.S. News & World Report Rankings, which center more on student outcomes and financial strength.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

This indicator uses unique criteria like first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. Other criteria, such as borrower debt and financial resources, measure how well universities support low-income students. This methodology suits applicants focused on long-term academic performance and career planning.

Here are the criteria used in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

The above rankings reflect how well a university is positioned to offer quality education and outcomes to students, using indicators like employability and industry applications.

Now, let’s explore how upGrad will help you study at Clark University.

How upGrad Can Help You?

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The platform offers bridge courses to build foundational knowledge, enabling smooth transitions to arts, business, data science, and AI specializations.

Here are some of the key supports offered by upGrad:

Expert Mentorship: Get personalized guidance from industry experts to accelerate your career development.
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Flexible Learning Options: Study at your own speed with online modules, making learning convenient and accessible.
Career Support: Benefit from job assistance and networking opportunities to enhance your career prospects.
Test Preparation Resources: Receive resources to help you prepare for exams like IELTS, GRE, and SAT, ensuring you're equipped for study abroad opportunities.

Explore this 20-month MS in Information Technology program where, for the first 8 months, you will study online with IIIT Bangalore. Then, for the next 12 months, you will be going to the US and studying on campus at Clark University, US.

Conclusion

Clark University stands out for its academic strength and community focus. It holds the #132 spot in U.S. News National Universities (2025) and ranks 1001–1200 in the QS World University Rankings. Notably, it is ranked #17 in Computer Science and #80 in Clinical Psychology for its specialized programs.

With a 42% acceptance rate, Clark maintains a selective admissions process, especially in competitive programs like Business and Computer Science.

The university continues to grow its academic profile by advancing research, strengthening its tech and business programs, and building stronger industry collaborations to improve its global recognition.

FAQs

How does Clark University’s 2025 global recognition affect the value of my degree as an international student?

Clark University’s 2025 global recognition, ranked among the top 150 national universities, boosts the credibility of your degree globally. Employers worldwide value degrees from highly ranked institutions, ensuring greater recognition in international job markets, particularly in fields like business, social sciences, and psychology.

Which programs at Clark University contributed to its 2025 world ranking?

Clark’s Psychology, Business Administration, and Environmental Science programs have notably contributed to its strong 2025 ranking. These fields are highly regarded for their research output, global impact, and industry connections, which elevate the university's overall standing.

How does Clark University’s position compare to other U.S. universities for international student support?

Clark University offers personalized services through the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), providing visa assistance, cultural transition programs, and career guidance. Unlike many larger institutions, Clark’s small campus allows for more tailored, one-on-one support for international students.

What advantages does Clark University’s popularity offer international students for building a global career?

Clark’s reputation as a top-ranked university in social justice and community service enhances global recognition. Students benefit from global alumni networks, internship opportunities with international firms, and direct access to U.S. companies for post-graduation roles.

How does Clark University’s acceptance rate relate to its ranking for international applicants?

With an acceptance rate of 42%, Clark’s moderately selective admissions process reflects its ranking. As the university rises in ranks, the acceptance rate tends to tighten, making it more competitive for international students. However, personalized applications and strong academic credentials can help improve your chances.

What factors influence Clark University’s 2025 ranking that international applicants should consider?

Factors like academic reputation, research output, and student satisfaction heavily influence Clark’s 2025 ranking. For international applicants, demonstrating research potential, leadership roles, and a commitment to community service can align your application with the university’s strengths.

How do Clark University’s ranking methodologies affect the international student experience?

Clark’s ranking methodologies emphasize student engagement, faculty quality, and global research collaboration, directly impacting international students’ academic experience. The focus on small class sizes and active faculty involvement ensures that international students receive a highly personalized learning environment.

How do faculty credentials and accomplishments affect the university’s academic position?

Clark University’s high faculty credentials, including professors with advanced degrees, research publications, and global industry recognition, directly contribute to its ranking. These faculty members mentor students in modern research and provide industry insights, enhancing both the university’s reputation and student experience.

Does Clark University’s ranking improve access to internships and jobs for international students?

Yes, Clark University’s ranking improves access to internships and jobs, particularly in social sciences, business, and psychology. The university’s strong connections with firms like EY, Deloitte, and Boston Scientific ensure students benefit from high-caliber internship placements and job placement support.

How can international students use Clark University’s ranking for post-graduation work opportunities in the U.S.?

International students can use Clark’s ranking to gain recognition in U.S. job markets, particularly in business, research, and public service. With the university’s strong industry links and career services, students can utilize OPT (Optional Practical Training) and CPT (Curricular Practical Training) programs to gain relevant work experience in the U.S.

How do Clark University’s achievements in 2025 enhance its reputation for international students?

Clark’s 2025 achievements in research funding, academic reputation, and global outreach further elevate its reputation. The university’s focus on social justice, innovative programs, and sustainable development attracts students worldwide, ensuring that your degree is recognized and respected in global markets.