
8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA


Clarkson University provides a range of athletic opportunities for students interested in varsity sports, club teams, and recreational activities. The university competes in NCAA Division III and is a member of the Liberty League, offering numerous varsity programs including ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and more. These teams emphasize both competitive play and academic balance, fostering a community that encourages student-athletes to excel in and out of the classroom.
Beyond varsity sports, Clarkson supports a vibrant club sports system where students can engage in activities with less commitment than varsity-level competition but still enjoy team camaraderie and organized play. Popular club sports include rugby, ultimate frisbee, and alpine skiing, among others.
For those who prefer fitness and wellness pursuits without the pressures of team competition, the university offers extensive recreational programs and facilities. Students have access to fitness centers, intramural leagues, and outdoor adventure clubs, promoting a healthy lifestyle and opportunities to socialize.
Overall, Clarkson's athletic offerings are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of interests and skill levels, making it possible for many students to participate in physical activities throughout their college experience.
Clarkson University offers a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests. Among the notable groups are the Outing Club, Ski & Snowboard Club, Spikeball Club, Society of Women Engineers, and the Rod and Gun Club. These associations provide opportunities for students to engage in outdoor activities, engineering-focused initiatives, and recreational sports.
Approximately 1.3% of men and 1.3% of women at Clarkson University participate in these social organizations, reflecting a modest level of engagement relative to the overall student populations of 1,573 men and 690 women.
Clarkson University hosts a diverse student body with varying demographic and academic profiles. The institution enrolls an average number of freshmen and transfer students, with about 608 first-year students and 60 transfer students annually, placing it in the lower 40th percentile nationally for incoming class size.
Most undergraduates fall within the traditional college-age range: roughly 1,065 students are aged 18 to 19, and 1,089 students are between 20 and 21 years old. After age 22, the number of undergraduate students sharply decreases, with only a small handful older than 25. Graduate students tend to be older, with a sizeable portion aged 22 to 49, highlighting a broader age range among postgraduate attendees.
Regarding residency, approximately 65% of students are in-state residents, a figure considered average and in the bottom half nationally. Out-of-state students make up about 29%, ranking slightly above average and placing Clarkson University in the top half for this category. Domestic students constitute the majority at 94%, a level that ranks in the top 35% of institutions nationally. International representation is moderate, with students from around six foreign countries, positioning the university within the top 40% for international diversity.
The ethnic composition reflects moderate diversity but leans toward majority representation by white students, who number around 1,623, falling in the bottom 45% percentile compared to peer institutions. Hispanic students are the next largest group at 284, followed by smaller populations of African American (56), Asian (46), and Native American (5) students. Students identifying with two or more races total 77, while ethnicities marked as unknown represent a very small segment. Overall, the ethnic diversity is average but generally ranks in the lower half nationally across most categories.
Clarkson University offers a range of campus activities that contribute to an engaged student life. Students have access to campus newspaper, drama productions, radio broadcasts, chorus groups, and television, providing diverse opportunities for creative and communicative involvement. The university supports student well-being through on-campus health clinics, psychological counseling services, legal assistance, and a dedicated veterans affairs office.
Clarkson University offers two libraries, placing it in the top half of institutions for library quantity with a percentile ranking of 54.21%. The main facility is the Harriet Call Burnap Memorial Library, supported by one additional library, which is considered an average provision compared to other schools, ranking at the 51.64th percentile.
The university's combined library holdings include approximately 124,029 physical books, a number that situates it in the lower 40% of similar institutions. While the total number of subscriptions is 7,336, this too falls below the median, ranking in the bottom 50%. Digital resources are more extensive, featuring 70,089 digital subscriptions, although this figure remains in the lower 45% nationally. The availability of ebooks totals 440,458, which is similarly positioned in the bottom 40%.
Library users also benefit from access to 259 databases, a figure close to the median among peer institutions, ranking just below the top half at the 47.21st percentile. The libraries operate for a total of 76 service hours weekly, providing established and staffed hours for student support.
Students can access physical and digital collections, as well as shared collections, though there are no designated study rooms or all-day access options. The libraries maintain trained staff and established service hours that ensure reliable support during open times.
Total enrollment
3348Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
489Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
197 full time, 134 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Harriet Call Burnap Memorial LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes