Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a private research university founded in 1896 in Potsdam, NY, serving ~4,600 students through 70+ undergraduate and 30+ graduate programs in engineering, sciences, business, and healthcare, with revenue from tuition, federal/state research grants, and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersPotsdam, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Clarkson University does
Clarkson University is a private research university founded in 1896 and headquartered in Potsdam, New York, operating a 640-acre main campus and a Capital Region Campus in Latham, NY. It serves approximately 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students through more than 70 undergraduate programs and 30+ graduate programs spanning engineering, sciences, technology, business, sustainability, and healthcare. The institution monetizes primarily through recurring tuition and fees, supplemented by federal and state research grants (EPA, USDA, NBRC, NYSERDA, NYSP2I), corporate partnership programs offering tuition discounts to employees of named partners (ALCOA, GE Vernova, General Dynamics Electric Boat, National Grid, Regeneron, Avangrid/NYSEG), and career-services revenue from 150+ employer relationships managed through the Kevin '81 & Annie Parker Career Center and the Handshake platform.
The university's core academic product is delivered on-campus at Potsdam with online and hybrid graduate extensions, and is differentiated by a required professional experience (internship/co-op) program and strong career outcomes—96-97% undergraduate and 98% graduate placement within six months, with graduates earning in the 98th percentile nationwide. Research output is concentrated in a few focus areas: PFAS detection and degradation nanosensor technology (EPA-funded, with at least one spin-off company), household water treatment systems ($1M foundation-funded), and electric grid capacity and energy storage research through the Center for Electric Power System Research in partnership with Avangrid, NYISO, and NYPA. Workforce development initiatives such as the NYSERDA-funded CUHEAT program and the NBRC/USDA-funded EMS training expansion extend the operating model into short-cycle credentialing for the regional labor market.
Clarkson's go-to-market is sales-led through dedicated admissions counselors and event-driven via Summer Visit Days, campus tours, career fairs, and corporate partnership touchpoints. Brand positioning leans heavily on third-party rankings (Top 55 Best Value 2025 U.S. News, Top 115 Best Undergraduate Engineering, #25 Best Career Services Princeton Review, Brookings Top 10 for earnings potential). The institution is accredited and holds WCAG 2.1 Level AA digital accessibility certification, with no disclosed parent company, public listing, or M&A activity.
Clarkson University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clarkson University
- Legal name
- Clarkson University
- Website
- https://clarkson.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Clarkson University is a private research university founded in 1896 in Potsdam, NY, serving ~4,600 students through 70+ undergraduate and 30+ graduate programs in engineering, sciences, business, and healthcare, with revenue from tuition, federal/state research grants, and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clarkson University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where Clarkson University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Potsdam
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Clarkson University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and related educational services. The university offers various financial aid packages, scholarships, and grants.
- Research Grants and Funding: Federal and state research grants from agencies such as EPA, USDA, Northern Border Regional Commission, NYSERDA, and NYSP2I fund research initiatives in environmental technology, healthcare training, and energy systems.
- Corporate Partnerships and Career Services: Revenue generated through corporate partnerships, tuition discounts for corporate employees, and career fair sponsorship programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Graduate Programs Tuition |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Clarkson University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clarkson University is a private research university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across engineering, sciences, technology, business, sustainability, and healthcare. It sells tuition-based education to approximately 4,600 students, supported by required professional experience (internships/co-ops), award-winning career services, and sponsored research in areas such as PFAS remediation, water treatment, and electric grid systems.
Product overview
Clarkson University is a private research university located in Potsdam, New York, with approximately 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students. The institution offers over 70 undergraduate programs and more than 30 graduate programs across engineering, sciences, technology, business, sustainability, and healthcare disciplines. Clarkson distinguishes itself through hands-on learning, required professional experience (internships/co-ops), and research initiatives. Key research focuses include PFAS detection and degradation technology (EPA-funded), water treatment systems ($1M foundation funded), and electric grid innovation through the Center for Electric Power System Research (partnered with Avangrid, NYISO, NYPA). The university operates its main Potsdam campus on 640 wooded acres and a Capital Region Campus in Latham, NY, with online/hybrid graduate offerings. Student support services include the award-winning Kevin '81 & Annie Parker Career Center, which coordinates career fairs with 150+ employers and maintains Handshake integration for recruitment. Workforce development initiatives include CUHEAT (home energy efficiency training) and EMS training programs. The institution is ranked among top 55 Best Value National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and top 115 Best Undergraduate Engineering programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Clarkson School: An early college program allowing high school students to get a head start on their college education
Products and services
- Undergraduate Academic Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 96-97% undergraduate placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Clarkson University
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Clarkson University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
Clarkson University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AvangridcoreAvangrid partners with Clarkson University for research in grid capacity, EV charging infrastructure, and battery energy storage systems. The research is led by Dr. Leo Y. Jiang at Clarkson's Center for Electric Power System Research, supported by NYISO and NYPA to improve grid reliability and support New York's energy future.
- New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)coreNYISO collaborates with Clarkson and Avangrid on electric grid systems research, focusing on grid capacity, EV charging infrastructure, and battery energy storage systems to support electrification and decarbonization efforts in New York State.
- New York Power Authority (NYPA)coreNYPA partners with Clarkson and Avangrid for grid innovation research aimed at improving grid reliability and supporting New York's energy future through data-driven solutions for grid planning and system resilience.
- New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I)minorNYSP2I awarded $650,000 in funding to seven R&D projects across partner universities for 2025-26, supporting sustainability innovations including plasma-based nitrogen fertilizer production, PFAS-free semiconductor manufacturing, and energy storage optimization.
- ALCOAminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
- GE VernovaminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
- General Dynamics Electric BoatminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
- National GridminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
- Regeneron PharmaceuticalsminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
- Avangrid / NYSEGminorCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clarkson University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): Private research university in Troy, NY focused on engineering, science, and technology with similar enrollment (~7,000). Most direct geographic and academic peer to Clarkson.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI): Private research university in Massachusetts with project-based learning and strong engineering/STEM focus. Closely comparable on academic model and career outcomes emphasis.
- Rochester Institute of Technology: Private technology university in New York state with co-op program, strong employer partnerships, and STEM focus. Direct competitor for engineering students in the Northeast.
- Stevens Institute of Technology: Private research university in Hoboken, NJ focused on engineering, science, and technology with similar size and Carnegie classification profile.
- Lehigh University: Private research university in Pennsylvania with strong engineering programs and similar undergraduate-focused research model. Comparable on career outcomes and STEM emphasis.
Regional players
- Union College: Private liberal arts and engineering college in Schenectady, NY. Comparable New York private institution serving similar student demographics in upstate region.
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute: Public research university in New York focused on engineering and technology. Regional competitor for STEM students and research talent.
Broad incumbents
- Drexel University: Private research university in Philadelphia with required co-op program and strong industry partnerships. Comparable academic model with broader scale.
- Case Western Reserve University: Private research university with strong engineering and research portfolio. Comparable Carnegie classification and research output profile.
- Carnegie Mellon University: Elite private research university with world-class engineering and computer science. Aspirational peer for STEM-focused private research universities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clarkson University social profiles
Digital presenceClarkson University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Clarkson University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clarkson University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Clarkson University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clarkson University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clarkson University
What does Clarkson University do?
Clarkson University is a private research university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across engineering, sciences, technology, business, sustainability, and healthcare. It sells tuition-based education to approximately 4,600 students, supported by required professional experience (internships/co-ops), award-winning career services, and sponsored research in areas such as PFAS remediation, water treatment, and electric grid systems.
Is Clarkson University a public or private company?
Clarkson University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Clarkson University founded?
Clarkson University was founded in 1896. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Clarkson University based?
Clarkson University is headquartered in Potsdam, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clarkson University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Funding and corporate Partnerships and Career Services.
Who are Clarkson University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Rochester Institute of Technology, Stevens Institute of Technology and Lehigh University. Regional players are Union College and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Broad incumbents are Drexel University, Case Western Reserve University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Does Clarkson University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clarkson University.
What industry is Clarkson University in?
Clarkson University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 6113.