Clarkson University Rankings 2025

Clarkson University ranks #152 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best National Universities list and falls in the 1001-1200 band globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. It offers over 90 programs, including more than 50 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate degrees, across engineering, business, science, health, and the arts.

With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1 and an enrollment of around 3,600 - 4,000 students from 61 countries, Clarkson University has 98%+ graduate placement rate within six months. Its strong outcomes and value are reflected in prominent Clarkson University ranking placements, including recognition by US News as a “Best Value” school.

Clarkson University Rankings 2024-25

Understanding Clarkson University's position in global rankings helps measure its academic reputation and how it compares with top universities worldwide. In 2024-25, Clarkson globally appeared in prominent lists, including the QS Rankings, which placed it in the #851-900 range, and the U.S. News Rankings, where it ranked #1696.

These rankings reflect its steady presence on the world stage. Below is a table summarizing Clarkson’s rankings over the past three years for key agencies.

Here's a graphical representation that will help you analyze Clarkson University ranking over the years:

Clarkson University’s rankings over the past three years show a pattern of resilience and steady presence on the global stage. While the QS World University Rankings fluctuated slightly, moving from the #801-1000 band to #851-900 in 2025, the university maintained a solid position overall.

The Times Higher Education ranking improved notably in 2024 (#801-1000) before stabilizing in 2025 (#1001-1200), reflecting consistent academic recognition. Meanwhile, the U.S. News & World Report ranking has remained steady (#1696), highlighting Clarkson’s ongoing global visibility. These trends illustrate the university’s commitment to sustaining its international reputation.

While global rankings give a broad overview, the university’s performance in specific academic disciplines offers a more focused perspective on where it truly stands out.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Clarkson University

Clarkson University’s strength shines through when examining rankings by specific academic fields. Notably, Clarkson’s David D. Reh School of Business holds a #97 rank for its full‑time MBA program in U.S. News’ 2024-25 Best Business Schools. Its graduate Engineering programs are also strong, positioned in the #150-199 range by U.S. News.

Clarkson University's course rankings highlight the university's commitment to excellence in these fields. Below is a subject-wise overview of Clarkson University's rankings, as recognized by leading global ranking agencies.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025

This ranking evaluates universities worldwide, focusing on research impact, innovation, and global collaboration. Clarkson’s inclusion in Engineering and Physical Sciences highlights its strong research and international partnerships.

For Instance, the Chemistry program within Physical Sciences is ranked between #501 and #600 worldwide, while Mechanical Engineering (ME) ranks #801-1000. The table below breaks down the specific subject ranks awarded by THE in 2025.

Now, let’s take a look at how the U.S. News provides additional insights by highlighting Clarkson’s performance by subject within the U.S. academic scene.

U.S. News Rankings 2025

U.S. News rankings reflect performance based on factors such as education system, student outcomes, and faculty achievements within the U.S. Clarkson’s full-time MBA program secured a top-100 spot, showcasing its leadership in business education.

The graduate programs also maintain a competitive national position, ranking #150 in Chemistry and #163 in Civil Engineering, respectively. Detailed 2025 rankings by subject follow in the table below.

Beyond academics, several ranking platforms assess universities based on financial outcomes, campus safety, and students' ability to truly make the most of their university experience, areas where Clarkson excels.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

While traditional rankings often focus on academic reputation or research output, several other agencies evaluate universities on practical, lifestyle, and financial outcomes. It ranks in the Top 2% nationally for salary potential (Payscale) and is among the Top 15 Best Small Colleges in New York (Niche).

Whether it’s affordability, safety, or sustainability, these rankings reflect practical strengths that shape everyday student life. Here’s a closer look at the miscellaneous rankings:

These lesser-known rankings often reflect what students encounter daily. Clarkson’s recognition also extends through awards and achievements earned across its campuses.

Clarkson University Campuses: Excellence and Achievements

Clarkson’s reputation extends beyond global rankings. It is reflected in the achievements that have been shaped across its campuses. From national recognition for academic quality to awards in sustainability and student-led community impact, the university presents a strong value proposition.

Whether it’s providing the best career options after graduation (such as #39 in Best Salaries for New Graduates by Wall Street Journal), research intensity, or student satisfaction, Clarkson earns high marks across multiple independent platforms. The following recognitions offer a closer look at the distinctions that make its campuses stand out.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Clarkson University is consistently acknowledged for the strength of its academic outcomes and post-graduation success. It ranks in #39 in Best Salaries for New Graduates (Forbes) and is one of only 150 institutions included in Colleges Worth Your Money.

With its classification as a “High Research Activity” university by Carnegie, Clarkson’s academic influence is both measurable and recognized. Below is a summary of accolades highlighting its academic impact.

The university’s impact goes further, its community involvement and campus initiatives also draw national praise.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Beyond academics, Clarkson stands out for promoting a rich, socially responsible student culture for students studying in the USA. The university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) received the NCAA Division III National SAAC Spotlight Award for its local outreach, service initiatives, and programs like CU Active.

Initiatives such as these reflect Clarkson’s commitment to student engagement and local partnerships, showcasing just a few reasons why studying in the USA is a compelling choice for many students. Here's how the university is recognized for its community-driven values.

A well-rounded campus experience also means space for creativity and cultural engagement, which Clarkson has also built strong credentials in.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Clarkson encourages creativity and expression alongside technical learning. Its recognition as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation and inclusion in the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools show how it blends environmental awareness with cultural development.

These honors, coupled with diverse student-led initiatives and arts-driven collaborations, contribute to Clarkson’s well-rounded campus experience. Explore recognitions that celebrate its cultural and sustainability efforts.

While these honors shape Clarkson’s image, it’s also essential to weigh them against how accessible the university is for applicants across its top programs.

Clarkson University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Ranked #851-900 by QS and #1,696 by U.S. News Best Global Universities, Clarkson balances academic reputation with accessible admissions. Its overall acceptance rate is 77%, and the Early Decision rate stands at 86%, showing a clear advantage for committed applicants.

Acceptance varies notably by program; high-demand fields like engineering and business tend to be more selective. Below is a breakdown of program-specific U.S. News rankings alongside their 2025 acceptance rates.

To fully grasp how rankings align with or contrast admission selectivity, it's helpful to understand how each ranking agency defines and weighs performance.

Ranking Methodologies

Ranking systems evaluate universities using different priorities and measures. QS places strong emphasis on academic reputation, dedicating 30% of its score to it. Times Higher Education (THE) weighs teaching quality heavily at 32.5%, while U.S. News weighs 20%.

Understanding these distinctions helps interpret Clarkson University rankings more clearly. Alongside its solid employability support, these rankings offer useful insight for academic choices. Below is the breakdown of the key metrics each ranking body uses to assess universities.

QS World University Rankings

QS evaluates Clarkson University rankings based on research output, faculty quality, and international engagement. This approach highlights how Clarkson University is perceived in global academic and professional circles.

The main focus areas include academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty and student ratios. The key focus areas and indicators used to assess performance are listed below.

In contrast to the QS approach, the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings adopts a different set of priorities and indicators.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

THE combines teaching quality, research performance, and international diversity to assess universities worldwide. Unlike other rankings, it emphasizes research funding and institutional collaboration, reflecting Clarkson University's impact on economic development and global partnerships.

Key indicators include teaching (learning environment), research (volume, income, reputation), citations (research influence), international outlook, and industry income. Here's a closer look at the key factors that shape their rankings:

Moving on, the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings provides another perspective on university performance, emphasizing additional factors.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News centers on student success and institutional resources, focusing on graduation rates, faculty quality, and financial support. This perspective sets it apart by prioritizing outcomes alongside inputs.

Their evaluation includes indicators such as global research reputation, publications, normalized citation impact, and faculty resources. Here's a breakdown of the key indicators used in these rankings:

Ranking agencies employ various benchmarks, encompassing faculty expertise, research output, and learning environment. Together, these perspectives help outline a university's standing and performance across key academic areas.

Conclusion

Clarkson University rankings maintain a steady position globally, placed #851-900 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and #1,696 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities list. The university excels in specialized fields like Business (MBA ranked #97) and Engineering, reflecting its focused academic strengths.

While the Times Higher Education ranking places Clarkson in the #1001-1200 band, factors such as research impact, teaching quality, and industry collaboration significantly influence its overall ranking. Together, these elements highlight Clarkson’s balanced approach to education and its growing reputation on the international stage.