Worcester, MA · Private University
Is Clark University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,381
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$55,160
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,160
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$220,640
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.13x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
77.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,759
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,711
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Clark University graduates earn $17,381 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Clark University ranked by graduate earnings
21 graduates
35 graduates
37 graduates
64 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Clark University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Clark University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $81,309) and the lowest (Geography and Cartography: $29,713) is $51,596/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $81,309 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $57,000 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,039 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $49,294 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,811 | 0.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations(1yr data) | $43,449 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,852 | 0.6x |
| Geography and CartographyLowest(1yr data) | $29,713 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark University | 1.13x | $62,381 | Average ROI |
| Emerson College | 1.13x | $62,832 | Average ROI |
| Mount Holyoke College | 0.91x | $58,418 | Below Average |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 1.06x | $55,624 | Average ROI |
| Pratt Institute-Main | 0.91x | $54,295 | Below Average |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Clark University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $62,381 10 years after starting — $17,381 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.