Computer Science Degrees at Clarkson
Clarkson University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
The School of Arts & Sciences launched the Computer Science (B.S.) Major for Clarkson University undergrads to advance their digital problem-solving skills through real open-source projects. Chaired by Dr. Christopher Lynch in the Science Center, the 120-credit bachelor’s begins with the First-Year Seminar before hardwiring a rigorous technology core. The 14:1 student-professor ratio builds strong mentoring relationships throughout courses like Linux Administration, Game Development, Cryptography, and Parallel Programming. Eighty-six percent of Clarkson undergrads secure co-op placements, such as Amazon, Sandia National Laboratory, Mozilla, Ajilon, and Oracle. Majors might also practice in the COSI Lab, exchange to Zhejiang University, enter the Cyber Challenge, join the ACM Chapter, and attend the Forever Wired Annual Conference.
Affiliated with 25 Fulbright Scholars since 2000, Clarkson University also confers an M.S. in Computer Science to surpass tech fundamentals for in-depth knowledge of hardware and software integration. Overseen by Dr. Chuck Thorpe, the 30-credit, 24-month curriculum can be finished face-to-face in Potsdam or online with Moodle. Qualified STEM majors progress into courses like Compiler Construction, Computer Graphics, and Operating Systems Analysis. Funded by IBM, the Open Source Institute and Internet Teaching Lab offer cutting-edge support during the capstone thesis. Study could continue into Clarkson’s Ph.D. in Computer Science, an intensive, 60-90 credit program designed for future academics. Doctoral candidates tackle breadth courses like Artificial Intelligence before the portfolio review, teaching practicum, and dissertation defense.
About Clarkson University
Clarkson University was founded in September 1896 as Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial School of Technology by the late Upstate entrepreneur’s sisters, Elizabeth, Frederica, and Lavinia. Coeducational from the start, Clarkson blossomed from polytechnic school of 17 to private, doctoral-granting research university in 1984. Merged with Union Graduate College in 2016, Clarkson University occupies a 25-building St. Lawrence County campus near SUNY Potsdam, the Capital Region satellite, and the Beacon Institute. Budgeting $401.4 million, Clarkson now enrolls 4,384 Golden Knights, including Computer Science majors, with 88 percent retention. Linked to 28,931 LinkedIn alumni, Clarkson University has taught tech gurus Patrick Naughton, Brenda Romero, Martin Roesch, Russ Nelson, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Clarkson as the 124th best national university, 36th top value, 82nd best engineering school, and 116th best computer science program. On Niche, Clarkson has America’s 121st best faculty, 215th best academics, and 377th most active student life. Times Higher Education placed Clarkson University 152nd overall. Forbes declared Clarkson the 124th top private college with the 161st happiest grads. PayScale congratulated Clarkson University for the 35th highest mid-career salary average of $132,500. College Factual named Clarkson the country’s 253rd best computer science choice with the 153rd best career outcomes. The Social Mobility Index positioned Clarkson 56th nationally for low-income opportunity. In Washington Monthly, Clarkson University also landed 37th for professor awards and 149th for highest graduation rate.
Clarkson University Accreditation Details
In 2014, Clarkson University submitted to its 10-year comprehensive evaluation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to maintain its Level VI accreditation of excellence under president Dr. Anthony G. Collins. Based 393 miles away in Philadelphia, this Mid-Atlantic regional accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure academic quality for Clarkson’s over 50 baccalaureate and 30 graduate majors. The Clarkson curricula is approved by the New York State Board of Regents and Division of Veteran Affairs. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has also extended programmatic accreditation since 1936.
Clarkson University Application Requirements
Admission to Clarkson University is labeled “very difficult” by Peterson’s because 68 percent of the 7,066 applicants in Fall 2016 were accepted. First-year Golden Knights should complete a college-prep Regents high school diploma or its equivalent. The B.S. in Computer Science program prefers four years of English, math, and science, including Physics. On average, freshmen present a 3.7 GPA, 1240 SAT score, and 27 ACT mark. Transfers with 24+ college credits and minimum 2.5 GPAs skip testing requirements. The M.S. in Computer Science only admits students with four-year, scientific bachelor’s in closely related fields. Achieving a 3.5 GPA for cum laude or higher honors waives the GRE test. The Ph.D. in Computer Science accepts up to 30 master’s transfer credits graded at least “B” with 2+ years of experience preferred.
Clarkson University set up an Early Decision deadline of December 1st and Regular Admission deadline of January 15th for freshmen. Transfers should apply before July 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring entrance. The Computer Science M.S. and Ph.D. programs have a priority deadline of January 31st for financial aid. Interested students submit the Common Application or Clarkson Graduate Application online. If needed, hard copies can be mailed to 8 Clarkson Avenue in Potsdam, NY 13699. Seek assistance at (315) 268-6480 or admission@clarkson.edu. Tomorrow’s computer scientists need to attach the following today:
- $50 application fees (waived if online)
- All secondary and collegiate transcripts
- Official SAT, ACT, or GRE test scores
- Two to three professional references
- Personal statements (250-500 words)
- Résumés highlighting computing skills
- Verification of English proficiency if foreign
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2017-18, Clarkson University billed Computer Science B.S. majors full-time tuition of $23,350 per semester or $46,700 annually. Studying part-time incurs $1,556 per credit. Leave budget space for the $350 activity fee, $650 facilities fee, and $250 campus improvements fee. Unless waived, health insurance adds $1,854 yearly. Living at the Potsdam campus’ dorms like Hamlin-Powers Hall costs $8,088 for housing and $6,706 for meals. The annual cost of attendance equals $66,106 on-campus and $62,376 off-campus with family. The School of Arts & Sciences presently charges $1,388 per graduate credit. The Computer Science M.S. costs $41,640 and the Ph.D. costs $124,920 total.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 97 percent of full-time Clarkson Golden Knights share $96.62 million in yearly financial aid offers averaging $30,499. Institutional funds include the Five Boroughs Scholarship, FIRST Robotics Scholarship, Project Lead the Way Scholarship, Adirondack Scholars Award, SAE Engineering Scholarship, Spirit of Innovation Scholarship, and Young Innovators Award. New York’s STEM Incentive offers up to $6,670 for Computer Science B.S. majors. In-state residents often earn the Tuition Assistance Grant or Enhanced Tuition Award. Completing the FAFSA form with Title-IV code 002699 opens the Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant programs. Available graduate assistantships pay $12/hour for roughly $2,000 per semester. The Office of Information Technology has undergrad work-study jobs for $10.40/hour too. Money magazine ranked Clarkson University 171st with a median debt of $24,250 from William D. Ford Direct, Graduate Plus, and private loans.
Learn more about Clarkson University at the Department of Computer Science website.
