SelectiveReviewed for the 2025-2026 cycle

Clark University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Clark University, a private college in Massachusetts, reports a 40% acceptance rate and sits in the selective band. In practice that means it admits a minority of applicants, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what Clark University weighs, where it ranks among Massachusetts schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1230, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
40%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1230
of admitted students
Type
Private
Massachusetts
Selectivity in state
#14
of 36 in MA
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Will I get into Clark University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Clark University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Clark University?

Your odds at Clark University are not the same as its 40% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Clark University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Clark University hard to get into?

Clark University is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 40% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.

What GPA do you need to get into Clark University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Clark University, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. Clark University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for Clark University?

Clark University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1230. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Clark University.

Calculate your chances at Clark University

What Clark University looks for

What Clark University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at Clark University are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Clark University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Considered
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Very important

SAT score positioning at Clark University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Clark University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200In the competitive admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1250 SAT →Colleges for a 26 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How Clark University compares in Massachusetts

Clark University ranks #14 most selective of 36 schools in Massachusetts in our database.

Among the 36 Massachusetts schools we track, Clark University ranks #14 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Harvard University (4%) and Northeastern University (5%) sit nearby, which makes Massachusetts a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Harvard University
4%acceptance · MA
Northeastern University
5%acceptance · MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5%acceptance · MA
Williams College
8%acceptance · MA
Amherst College
9%acceptance · MA
Boston University
11%acceptance · MA
Tufts University
11%acceptance · MA
Wellesley College
14%acceptance · MA
See all Massachusetts schools →

Similar to Clark University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting Clark University often weigh University of Rochester, University of Tampa, and Carolina University, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

University of Rochester
40%acceptance · NY
University of Tampa
40%acceptance · FL
Carolina University
40%acceptance · NC
Paul Quinn College
40%acceptance · TX
Howard University
41%acceptance · DC
Brandeis University
41%acceptance · MA

Frequently asked questions

What does Clark University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Clark University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Clark University consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. Clark University's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at Clark University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Clark University specifically.

Is Clark University a target or a reach for an average applicant?

For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near Clark University's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.