Clark University is a liberal arts-based research university where passion meets possibility. Here is where Robert Goddard invented the modern rocket and where Sigmund Freud delivered his only lectures in the United States. At Clark we live our motto — "Challenge Convention. Change Our World." — which is the rallying cry that inspires our community every day. Clark's pioneering education model combines rigorous academics with world and workplace experiences so our students can be imaginative and contributing citizens, advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding, and shape a life and career on their own terms. A Clark student regards the status quo and says, "I can do better."
Clark University was founded in 1887 as the first all-graduate institution in the United States. With about 2,300 undergraduate students, we are a small research university with a liberal arts curriculum. Clark offers more than 50 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary concentrations, allowing students to create unique programs of study. Over one third of Clark students complete one of our 15 tuition-free Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Programs, earning two degrees in just five years of study.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Associate Director
Worcester, MA 01610
Experience College Life
Campus Green (in warmer months)
The Bistro in the University Center
Center for Media Arts, Computing and Design
Larger-than-life statue of Sigmund Freud in Red Square
New for Fall 2023: Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design.
Shrewsbury Street - Restaurant Row
Shoppes at Blackstone Valley
Worcester Art Museum
Canal District
Campus Tours
9am-4:30pm (9:30am-12pm on select weekends)
800-462-5275
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives over 8,500 applications each year, and with a 49% acceptance rate, we're categorized as a selective university. Our admissions counselors read applications holistically, looking for traits such as academic excellence, curiosity, and an interest in joining the Clark community.
To apply, all first-year students must submit the Common Application or the Coalition Application with Scoir; their transcripts; and at least two letters of recommendation. Transfer students must complete the Clark Transfer application and submit college transcripts, an official high school transcript, and letters of recommendation. There is no fee to apply. Log on to apply.clarku.edu to view all required materials.
Clark has been test-optional since 2012, and applicants can choose whether to include their scores as part of the application or not. We also offer interview opportunities to high school seniors and transfer students as an optional addition to their application.
First-year applicants have the option to apply under Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision plans. Clark is committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated need for all Early Decision applicants. Transfer applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fall and spring.
Overview
SAT & ACT Test Scores
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 15
Early Decision II — January 15
Early Action — November 15
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Recommendation(s)
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Clark University is a small research university, and 100% of students have access to research and hands-on learning opportunities. Our undergraduate curriculum is based in the liberal arts, and through our Program of Liberal Studies requirements, students gain a broad introduction to many subjects, ideas, and perspectives.
Every student completes a First-Year Intensive course taught by their premajor adviser to get acclimated to college-level research and inquiry, as well as discover academic resources at Clark. Students declare a major by the end of their second year, and many choose to include a minor, concentration, and even double major. To complete their undergraduate studies, every student engages in a senior capstone project, which can take the form of a research paper, creative work, or even a business venture.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Clark offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, minors, and interdisciplinary concentrations. Our most popular majors are psychology, management, biology, economics, and political science. New majors include interactive media/game design (ranked #3 in the world by The Princeton Review), marketing, data science, finance, and mathematics education. One third of Clark students go on to earn their master's degree through our tuition-free Accelerated B.A./Master's program.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
Asian Studies/Civilization.
Women's Studies.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Communication and Media Studies.
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Informatics.
Information Technology.
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EDUCATION.
Education, General.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
International/Global Studies.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
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PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Community Organization and Advocacy.
Public Administration.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Economics.
Geographic Information Science and Cartography.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Political Science and Government.
Social Sciences, General.
Social Sciences, Other.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Music, General.
Students Say
One of the school's "biggest strengths is its small class size," along with an "abundance of labs...[for] very necessary experience." In fact, it's said that some intermediate-level courses can have as few as 10 students, "which means that you have close access to the teaching assistants and professors," many of whom are described as "clearly passionate about what they teach." At Clark, "the learning is very hands-on, pushing students to apply what they learn in the classroom to experiences outside of the classroom," such as starting a real business in the entrepreneurship class. There are also innovative opportunities afforded to undergraduates, such as virtual reality courses and attending a forensics lab where the professor "builds whole crime scenes for us to go through as a team and 'solve a crime.'"
Degrees
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
On Campus Interviews
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
On Campus Interviews
Regional Alumni
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
For 2022-2023, tuition, room, board, and fees total $63,416. As a private university, tuition costs are the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Students are required to live on campus their first and second years.
Financial Aid
Clark's Office of Financial Assistance is committed to making our exceptional educational experience affordable for students of all income levels. When financial aid is factored in, many students are surprised to find that the cost of attending Clark is comparable to or less than that of a state school. And with Clark's accelerated degree program, eligible students can earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years — with the fifth year tuition-free. 85% of students receive financial aid from Clark, and the average financial aid package is over $30,000. Merit scholarships range from $14,000 - $20,000 per year for four years, and there is no separate application to be considered for Clark scholarships.
Dates
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
School
State Aid
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
State Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Clark students (called "Clarkies") are academically curious and passionate about the world around them. They take our motto, "Challenge Convention, Change Our World," to heart, and you'll find them making positive change throughout campus and the community. Clarkies have many interests, which is why so many of them double major and create unique programs of study. Clarkies come from about 40 states and 30 countries around the globe. 60% of students are from out-of-state, and 15% are international students.
With 130+ student clubs and organizations, there's always something to do! Clark purposefully does not have Greek life, and clubs are the heart of social activities. Clark clubs host over 1,000 events every year, including improv comedy shows from the Peapod Squad, Hip Hop Collabo dance performances, and pop-up markets from the Clark Collective. Notably, Clark's Model United Nations Team is ranked top ten in the world's division, making our team one of the best in the country.
Clark is an NCAA Division III school and participates in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). We have 17 varsity sports teams, and 16% of students participate in varsity sports. Clark also has teams at the intramural and club levels, and over half of all Clarkies participate in athletics and recreation.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Clark University is in Worcester, Massachusetts, the second-largest city in New England. Nicknamed "the Heart of the Commonwealth," Worcester is home to over 200,000 residents and is located one hour west of Boston.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Clark University's campus sits on 50 acres of green spaces and residential areas of Worcester's Main South neighborhood. Our oldest building, Jonas Clark Hall, rises in the direct center of campus and is named for the university's founder, Jonas Clark. Most students are likely to have many of their classes here, and it is just a few minutes' walk from the residence halls. Students in the sciences have access to multiple state-of-the-art facilities in the Lasry Center for Bioscience and the Arthur M. Sackler Sciences Center. The Robert Hutchings Goddard Library — named for the Clark physicist known as the father of the space age — is the center of academic life at Clark, and the entire first floor houses Clark's Academic Commons. The Traina Center for the Arts, home to our Visual and Performing Arts Department, includes the Schiltkamp Gallery, Clark's main gallery space; Razzo Hall, a 194-seat recital hall; and the Fuller Multimedia Center, home to our film editing suites, computer music studio and graphic design workspaces. For students interested in athletics and recreation, the Kneller Athletic Center houses a gymnasium with three full-size basketball courts; the Bickman Fitness Center; racquetball and squash courts; a six-lane, 25-yard swimming pool; a team weight room; and a multipurpose room used for health, wellness, and fitness classes.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Clark students are incredibly involved in off-campus opportunities and are active members of our neighborhood and city. Our campus is less than one mile from the Worcester Commons, which hosts over 100 festivals each year. Students also support many of our local sports teams, including the new Worcester Red Sox minor-league baseball team. Despite being in an urban area, Clark students have incredible access to parks and green spaces, such as the Hadwen Arboretum or University Park. Through Problems of Practice courses, internships, and student clubs and organizations, Clarkies find ways to connect with local businesses and non-profit organizations. As a member of the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA), Clark participates in cross-registration with ten nearby colleges and universities, allowing students to take up to one course per semester on a neighboring campus.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Other
Wellness Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
Typically students provide a Neuropsychological Evaluation, Psychoeducational Evaluation, or other learning evaluation. Please see our website for more info.Documentation Required for ADHD
Official documentation of disability from an appropriately licensed professional, typically a psychoeducational evaluation. Please see our website for more info.Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball
Student Services
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Worcester Polytechnic Inst.
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Worcester Polytechnic Inst.
Sustainability
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2024.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/