Clark University

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category

U.S. News rank Category Name #83 National Universities

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Summary

Clark University is a private institution that was founded in 1887. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,311, its setting is city, and the campus size is 50 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Clark University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 83. Its tuition and fees are $38,450 (2012-13).

Clark University is a small liberal arts institution in the midst of 12 other colleges and universities. Located in Worcester, Mass., Clark is a member of the Worcester College consortium. As such, all Clark students get a WOO card: a pass for local college students that grants discounts at area attractions, baseball games, and the local ski slope, Wachusett Mountain. Clark students can also ride the free Consortium shuttle from campus to Becker College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Assumption College, Worcester State College, and College of the Holy Cross. Students can also hop aboard to get to Worcester Public Library, Worcester Art museum, and the local train and bus station. On campus, Clark students can choose from more than 100 clubs and organizations, but the school does not have a Greek system. The Clark Cougars sports teams compete in the NCAA Division III New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. Freshmen and sophomores must live on campus, and all students are allowed to bring cars. For road trips, Boston is less than an hour’s drive away; New York City is a three-hour trip. Students can explore the school’s 30 study abroad options after declaring a major, and about 40 percent of juniors spends at least one semester away from campus.

Research is a particular focus for students at Clark University. Undergraduates are encouraged to get involved, and students showcase their work each semester during Fall Fest and Academic Spree Day. The school’s research expertise is a century-long tradition; on campus in 1909, Sigmund Freud gave his famous Clark Lectures about psychoanalysis, and university researchers have been responsible for discoveries that led to the birth control pill and the formula for the wind-chill factor. Notable alumni of Clark University include Matthew Goldman, cofounder of the performance art Blue Man Group; Hugh Panero, CEO of XM Satellite Radio; Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles; and Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo’s Top Chef.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Clark University prepares students to make a meaningful difference in a world hungry for change. The small, liberal arts-based research university, founded in 1887, is located in the heart of New England in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Clark's intimate urban campus is home to a dynamic and diverse community where intellectual engagement, active discovery, and a global perspective are highly valued. Nationally renowned as a college that changes lives, Clark is emerging as a transformative force in higher education today. LEEP (Liberal Education and Effective Practice), is Clark's pioneering model of education that combines life-changing world and workplace experiences with a robust liberal arts curriculum. Through LEEP, Clark students confront complex problems, collaborate with faculty, learn directly from industry experts, and explore topics of global consequence. Clark believes a student's investment in education should have lifelong and wide-ranging returns. Students develop the skills -- including creativity, adaptability, resilience, and persistence -- that enable them to translate their passions and their studies into remarkable careers and purposeful, accomplished lives. The vibrant intellectual life is an outgrowth of a dedicated faculty who are as passionate about teaching and mentoring as they are about generating new knowledge. Over 65 percent of Clark undergraduates participate in cutting-edge scholarship and creative projects, working side-by-side with world-leading faculty, in pursuit of innovative solutions to real-world problems. The educational experience at Clark is characterized by rigorous academic coursework, independent and collaborative research, internships, study abroad experiences, and service opportunities that are found both locally and globally. The most popular majors at Clark are business management, communication and culture, psychology, political science, biology, geography, and international development and social change. The average class size is 21 and students enjoy the 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio that fosters strong community and relationships. Clark offers 32 majors and 30 minors and students can create their own majors through the self-designed major program. Clark professors are also encouraged to incorporate service learning into their courses and the Community Engagement and Volunteering Center helps students find the volunteer activities that meet their interests. Clark's admission standards are selective and focused on identifying students who are most likely to thrive in the collaborative learning environment. In celebration of the launch of LEEP, five students will receive the chance to benefit from everything Clark University has to offer -- at no cost for tuition or room and board -- through the LEEP Scholars program. Clark University also offers a unique opportunity for access to graduate study in its Accelerated B.A./Master's Degree Program. Every year, 25 percent of the graduating class stays at Clark for a fifth year "tuition-free" to pursue a master's degree in one of 14 areas including management, history, chemistry, geographic information sciences and education. The savings of more than $40,000 is lauded as an innovative way for students to earn two degrees without being burdened by huge debt. With its small size, urban location, capacity for interdisciplinary learning and research, emphasis on liberal education and effective practice, and its commitment to providing an exceptional college education that is also affordable, Clark cultivates a learning environment uniquely supportive of students' interests and ambitions. Students come to the University with the passion to make a difference, and graduate with the skills employers demand and the world needs, prepared to live the University's motto, "Challenge convention. Change our world."

General Information

School type	private, coed college
Year founded	1887
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	city
2011 Endowment	$316,926,483

Applying

When applying to Clark University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 15, and the early action deadline is November 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 15. The application fee at Clark University is $55. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 67.9 percent and an early acceptance rate of 79.1 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	more selective
Fall 2011 acceptance rate	67.9%
Application deadline	January 15
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 15

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Clark University is 10:1, and the school has 59.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Clark University include: Psychology; Political Science and Government; Communication and Media Studies; Business Administration, Management and Operations; and English Language and Literature, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89.0 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	10:1
4-year graduation rate	76
Five most popular majors for 2011 graduates
Psychology 17% Political Science and Government 10% Communication and Media Studies 7% Business Administration, Management and Operations 6% English Language and Literature, General 6%

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Student Life

Clark University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,311, with a gender distribution of 41.5 percent male students and 58.5 percent female students. At this school, 71.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 29.0 percent of students live off campus. Clark University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.

Total enrollment	3,462
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA III

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Campus Info & Services

Clark University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Clark University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Clark University.

Students who have cars on campus	N/A
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

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Paying for School

At Clark University, 58.8 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $24,810.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

Tuition and fees	$38,450 (2012-13)
Room and board	$7,320 (2012-13)
Financial aid statistics

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* Overview details based on 2011 data