Clarkson University campus
Potsdam, United States
Photo: Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA)

Clarkson University

Potsdam·university

#951-1000

QS Rank

72%

Acceptance rate

$58,058

Tuition/yr

4,100

Enrollment

13:1

Student:Faculty

About Clarkson University

Private research university in upstate New York. Top engineering and business programs with strong alumni network.

Clarkson University is a private research university founded in 1896 in Potsdam, New York. It enrolls approximately 3,348 students across more than 90 undergraduate and 40+ graduate programs in engineering, sciences, business, and health professions. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Clarkson's academic strengths lie in engineering, computer science, environmental science, and business. Many of its STEM degrees carry the official STEM OPT designation, and the Coulter School of Engineering is ranked among the top undergraduate engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The Brookings Institution has named Clarkson a top-10 university nationwide for increasing graduates' lifetime earning potential.

The main campus spans 640 acres in a rural setting in St. Lawrence County, near the Adirondack Park in northern New York State. A second campus in Latham, NY (Capital Region) serves graduate and professional students. The student body draws from 42 U.S. states and 61 countries, with an acceptance rate of approximately 77%.

World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings (2026)#951-1000
Times Higher Education (THE) (2025)#1001-1200
US News Best Global Universities (2025)##143

Campus & Location

Province

NY

Campus setting

Suburban

Cost of living: Housing: USD 900–2,500/mo | Food: USD 380–650/mo | Costs vary widely by city.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.

For Nepali students

  • Clarkson's strong STEM OPT designation across engineering, computer science, and environmental programs means Nepali graduates on an F-1 visa can apply for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training in the United States, a critical bridge to work experience and potential H-1B sponsorship.
  • All accepted international undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 per year with no separate application required, meaningfully reducing the sticker tuition of $58,058 (2024–25) for academically strong Nepali applicants.
  • With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and a total enrollment under 3,500, Clarkson offers smaller class sizes and closer faculty access than large research universities, an advantage for Nepali students navigating a new academic environment and seeking research or internship referrals.
  • U.S. News ranks Clarkson #55 among Best Value Schools nationally, and one in five alumni holds a CEO, senior executive, or owner title, making it a cost-effective entry point for Nepali students aiming for careers in engineering, data science, or business management in North America.

Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents

A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:

GPA 3.060%+ in NEB +2, B+ average in Cambridge A-levels, or Second Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.370%+ in NEB +2 or First Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.675%+ in NEB +2 or First Division with Distinction in a TU bachelor's degree.
IELTS 6.5The most common graduate minimum — achievable with 2–3 months of focused preparation. IELTS 7.0+ needed for the most competitive programs.

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Data last verified: 2026-06-19 · Source: https://www.clarkson.edu. Information may change — verify with Clarkson University’s official website before applying.