Clark University vs Elmhurst University
Clark University and Elmhurst University, while sharing a commitment to academic excellence, offer distinct educational experiences. Clark, a research-intensive institution in Worcester, Massachusetts, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 48%, while Elmhurst, a private liberal arts university in Elmhurst, Illinois, maintains a more open admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 85%. Clark's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 13% of the population compared to Elmhurst's 5%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, with Clark excelling in the sciences and social sciences, and Elmhurst specializing in business, education, and nursing. While Clark's higher graduation rate of 82% indicates a strong commitment to student success, Elmhurst's lower cost of attendance may appeal to budget-conscious students. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision about your academic future.
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![]() Clark University |
![]() Elmhurst University |
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Overview |
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Location | Worcester, Massachusetts | Elmhurst, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 87.0% | 76.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 48.0% | 71.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 1218 - 1403 | 1013 - 1220 |
ACT range | 27 - 30 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,151 | 3,762 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,915 | 2,682 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 505 | 531 |
Yield rate | 12.9% | 19.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,302 | $55,536 |
Average net price | $31,565 | $24,018 |
Tuition | $49,950 | $39,100 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,000
Meal plan:
$4,150
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Room/dormitory:
$6,428
Meal plan:
$4,544
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $27,608 |
99.0%
Average amount $25,993 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,282 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,287 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $16,271 |
9.0%
Average amount $15,454 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,302
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
2,914
Men 38.5% Women 61.5% |
Graduate students |
1,048
Men 49.3% Women 50.7% |
604
Men 33.8% Women 66.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 23.0% | 2.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,633 | 964 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New York Connecticut Maine New Jersey | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 79.0% | 68.4% |
Dropout rate | 6.8% | 31.6% |
Transferred out | 14.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Geography and Cartography (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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