Clarkson University

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.

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

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

• Higher education
• Research university
• Engineering programs
• Graduate education
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Potsdam

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Career Services: Revenue generated through corporate partnerships, tuition discounts for corporate employees, and career fair sponsorship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AvangridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Avangrid 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026NYISO 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026NYPA 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)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026NYSP2I 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.
• ALCOAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
• GE VernovaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
• General Dynamics Electric BoatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
• National GridminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
• Regeneron PharmaceuticalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.
• Avangrid / NYSEGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner receiving tuition discounts for employees through Clarkson's corporate partnership program.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• Xx.com/ClarksonUniv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/clarksonweb
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClarksonUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/clarksonuniv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/16242

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clarkson University