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Summary
Clark University is a private institution that was founded in 1887. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,317, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 50 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Clark University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 94. Its tuition and fees are $37,350 (2011-12).
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.
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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. The intimate urban campus is a dynamic community where intellectual engagement and active discovery are highly valued. 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. At the undergraduate level, Clark offers a challenging liberal arts curriculum that encourages students to think critically, engage with major global challenges, and develop the breadth of capabilities necessary for success in their careers and citizenship. In addition, as a research university, Clark offers students the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge scholarship and creative work, working side-by-side with faculty and graduate students, many of whom are international leaders in their fields. Clark's research institutes and centers - which include the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, the George Perkins Marsh Institute, the Clark Labs for Cartographic Analysis, the Jacob Hiatt Center for Urban Education, the Heinz Werner Institute for Development Analysis, and the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies - build on a foundation of interdisciplinary scholarship, with faculty and students working across boundaries to develop innovative solutions to a wide range of contemporary challenges. Clark faculty are also encouraged to incorporate service learning into their courses. With Clark's location in the "Main South" area of Worcester, the Community Engagement and Volunteering Center coordinates community service activities around the city, helping students find ways they can serve. Clark University also offers a unique opportunity for access to graduate study. For particularly ambitious Clark students, graduating seniors can participate in Clark's nationally-recognized Accelerated B.A./M.A. Program, which allows students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years with the fifth year tuition free. This savings of more than $40,000 has been lauded as an innovative way for students to earn two degrees without being burdened by huge debt. Clark's status as a small research university grounded in the liberal arts, its innovative approach to research and effective practice, its strategic urban location, and its tradition of community partnerships place Clark students in an ideal position to breathe life into 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 | urban |
| 2010 Endowment | $263,617,731 |
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 69.1 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 69% |
| Application deadline | January 15 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Clark University is 10:1, and the school has 53.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Clark University include: Psychology; Political Science and Government; Business Administration, Management and Operations; English Language and Literature, General; and Sociology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89.2 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 10:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 73% - High | ||||||||||
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Student Life
Clark University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,317, with a gender distribution of 40.0 percent male students and 60.0 percent female students. 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 | 3,451 |
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| Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity | N/A |
| Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority | N/A |
| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
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 |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Clark University, 61.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $23,789.
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 | $37,350 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $7,100 (2011-12) - Low |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
