Clark University Ranking

​Clark University, founded in 1887 in Worcester, Massachusetts, is recognized for its academic excellence and innovative programs. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Clark is positioned at #132 among National Universities and #42 in Best Value Schools. 

The Princeton Review ranks its undergraduate game design program third globally, while the Becker School of Design & Technology's MFA program holds the seventh spot worldwide. Additionally, Clark's School of Business is AACSB-accredited, placing it among the 5% of business schools globally.

Clark University World Rankings 2024-25

​Clark University has experienced fluctuations in global rankings over the past five years across major ranking platforms such as QS Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, and U.S. News & World Reports.

To gauge Clark’s performance, let’s analyze how its rankings have changed over the years.

The changing trends can be captured through the following graphical representation:

Clark University's recent global rankings highlight varied trends across prominent ranking bodies. In the QS Rankings, Clark has experienced a gradual decline from #581-590 in 2021 to #951-1000 in 2025. 

Meanwhile, the THE Rankings depict stabilization, with Clark positioned consistently in the #601-800 range from 2023 to 2025, after an earlier peak at #401-500 in 2021. 

In contrast, the U.S. News Rankings indicate some fluctuation — Clark was ranked #132 in 2025, down from a notable peak at #97 in 2023, yet remains competitive within the national landscape.

After reviewing the university rankings, let’s explore detailed rankings for specific subjects on ranking platforms like THE and U.S. News.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Clark University 2025

Subject-wise rankings assess academic quality and program reputation, guiding students in making informed decisions about college and programs. 

Clark University offers programs across multiple disciplines, with social sciences and psychology ranking among the top 400 by THE rankings. 

Here’s how Clark University’s programs perform across multiple ranking bodies:

(THE) Times Higher Education Rankings 2025

The Times Higher Education (THE) rankings are based on indicators such as teaching, research, citations, and industry income.

Here’s how various programs at Clark University perform:

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

U.S. News Rankings 2025

The U.S. News rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, student debt, and student-faculty ratio. Clark's programs, such as its business courses, are ranked among the top 300.

Here’s how various programs rank in the U.S. News rankings:

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

Now that you’ve explored the subject rankings of Clark University, let’s take a look at how Clark performs in other rankings.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2024-2025

Clark University's diverse strengths extend far beyond conventional university rankings. 

Accolades from exceptional programs in Film to Photography(#32) underline Clark's distinctive blend of academic rigor, social responsibility, and student-centric education.

Here’s the performance of Clark University in different areas: 

Clark University demonstrates impressive versatility through its recent rankings. Notably, it secured the #32 spot for film & photography in the U.S., underscoring its creative strengths. 

Additionally, its affordability and student-friendly admissions process earned it a commendable #58 among colleges with no application fee. Clark's reputation as a premier small institution is evident with a #85 national ranking, while its history program placed at #102, showcasing academic depth. 

Recognition as #6 for most competitive students reflects the ambitious student community Clark attracts. Globally, its CWUR ranking places it within the 7% of universities, affirming Clark's international presence and academic credibility.

Now, let’s explore the achievements of Clark students in academics and extracurriculars.

Clark University: Excellence and Achievements

Clark University stands out through its specific achievements in academics, community engagement, and cultural creativity, going beyond traditional rankings. 

The university is notably recognized for its strength in small-class undergraduate teaching, significant support for economically disadvantaged students, and excellence in niche fields like film, photography, and game design. 

Below is a precise breakdown highlighting Clark's distinct accolades across these critical categories:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Clark University has consistently gained attention for its rigorous undergraduate instruction and distinctive educational model. Its smaller student-to-faculty ratio has facilitated personalized instruction and is recognized consistently in national rankings.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Clark University excels in promoting social responsibility and is recognized nationally for social mobility, community involvement, and enhancing students' overall campus life quality.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Clark University emphasizes cultural vibrancy and creativity through specialized programs, campus traditions, and global recognitions celebrating student competitiveness and creative achievements.

Now that you’ve explored Clark’s achievements in academics, culture, and community development, let’s understand the relationship between ranking and acceptance rates.

Clark University: Rankings Vs Acceptance Rate

Clark University has built a reputation for its academic excellence and selective admissions process. While the university's overall acceptance rate is approximately 42%, individual programs, especially in significant fields like business, computer science, and psychology, attract high levels of competition.

This indicates the university's high academic standards and appeal to prospective students. Here's a quick overview of these select programs and their notable position:

These rankings and program highlights underscore Clark University's dedication to providing quality education across various disciplines.

Now, let’s check out the methodologies used for rankings.

Ranking Methodologies

QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report are the leading university ranking systems that have become benchmarks for assessing university performance. 

Each ranking focuses on aspects such as academic reputation, research quality, and global outlook to gauge the performance of universities.

Here’s a detailed look at the criteria used for ranking universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS world ranking emphasizes employer reputation and academic outcomes, obtained from surveys of thousands of educational experts and employers worldwide. It also gives importance to faculty research and international student admissions.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on research influence, teaching reputation, and staff-to-student ratio. It also emphasizes international diversity and industry income, assessing how well universities collaborate with industries and global academic networks.

Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

This indicator uses unique criteria like first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. Other criteria, such as borrower debt and financial resources, measure how well universities support low-income students. 

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report Rankings

The above rankings reflect how well a university is positioned to offer quality education and outcomes to students, using indicators like employability and industry applications.

Now, let’s explore how upGrad will help you study at Clark University.

How Will upGrad Help You?

upGrad supports students and professionals with expert mentorship, industry-relevant courses, and flexible learning for academic and career growth. Bridge courses for specialized programs like Biotechnology and IT will help students prepare for advanced studies.

Additionally, through its study abroad initiatives, upGrad will assist you in the following ways: 

• Expert Mentorship: Guidance from industry professionals and academic experts who provide personalized insights to help you succeed in your field.
• Industry-Relevant Courses: Learn practical, real-world skills through up-to-date courses designed to meet the needs of today's industry trends.
• Flexible Learning Options: Online courses and flexible schedules allow you to balance your education with other commitments.
• Career Support: Receive career coaching, job placement assistance, and networking opportunities to help you land your desired role.

Here are some popular study abroad courses offered by upGrad at Clark University:

• Master of Business Administration- Clark University
• MS Computer Science from Clark University, USA
• BS Biotechnology - Clark University
• MS in Information Technology

Conclusion

Clark University's performance across various disciplines highlights its academic excellence and community engagement. Ranked #132 in U.S. News National Universities (2025), the university is also recognized for its specialized programs, such as its #17 ranking for Computer Science and #80 ranking for Clinical Psychology. 

The university's overall acceptance rate of 42% reflects its selective admissions process, with programs like Business and Computer Science being particularly competitive.

As Clark continues to strengthen its academic offerings, focusing on maintaining high rankings in key areas like business and tech, expanding research contributions, and enhancing industry partnerships will help further boost its global standing.

Similar Read:

• Clark University: Rankings, Courses & Admissions
• Clark University Courses & Fees