Potsdam Campus

Potsdam Campus

Innovation With the Classic College Town Experience

Located just minutes from Adirondack Park, our Potsdam campus is the center of Clarkson University’s undergraduate experience and home to some of our graduate and online programs.  

A First-Name Campus

Innovation derives from collaboration and the exchange of ideas. At Clarkson, we recognize the importance of strong connections for both building a sense of community and driving discoveries. In turn, you’ll get to know everyone — from fellow students to the president to your dean and department chair — on a first-name basis. And, they’ll get to know your name, too! We're also a place where everyone holds the door open for each other, and where you just might get hoarse from saying "Hi" back to everyone in the hallway on your way to class.

Contact Us

8 Clarkson Ave.

Potsdam, New York 13699

Phone: 315-268-6400

Our Location

Our 640-acre main campus in the Village of Potsdam presents the classic college experience intertwined with adventure, innovation and entrepreneurship. While the Adirondacks are in our backyard, our campus brings the exploration and exhilaration close to you through three miles of trails for biking, hiking and cross-country skiing through the woods and past wetlands. As we’re located on the banks of the Raquette River, we have our own canoeing launch point for exploring on the water.

Our main campus also houses most of our administrative offices, many graduate and professional programs and the Clarkson School.

Interactive Campus Map

Degrees and Programs

If you’re intending to earn your bachelor’s, master's or PhD degree at Clarkson, you’ll study and engage in research at our Potsdam location.

Undergraduate

Embrace your curiosity in our immersive, hands-on undergraduate programs across engineering, the arts and sciences, technology, healthcare and business.

Graduate

Many of Clarkson’s residential graduate programs are held in Potsdam, including in engineering, business, the sciences and healthcare.

Advanced Certificates and Online

Learning never stops. Look ahead toward the next stage of your career with advanced business certificates and select online degree programs blending a flexible structure with a rigorous curriculum.

The Clarkson School

Challenge yourself with the Clarkson School’s early college programs preparing you for the University’s research-driven, hands-on coursework and encouraging collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving.

What to Do Around Potsdam

As a student or visitor, see what the Potsdam region holds:

Student hiking in the Adirondacks

Adventuring Outdoors

The Adirondacks and Lake Placid area are a multifaceted gateway to exploration, whether self-guided or through Clarkson’s Outing Club, the largest affinity group on campus. After class or during the weekend, plan a hiking, mountain biking or climbing excursion, search for hidden caves or navigate the waters of the Raquette.

Students riding in a toboggan at winter fest

Winter Adventures

Exploration doesn’t stop when the snow falls. By the winter months, adventure switches to luge, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowboarding. Or, test your cliff-scaling skills with some ice climbing. Our region hosts many world-class winter sporting events, including hockey right on campus.

Ottawa Parliament

Nearby Cities

Urban centers are just an easy drive away. Students may opt to visit Ottawa or Montreal in Canada over the weekend or plan a longer trip to Boston or New York City.

Getting Here

Planning to visit Clarkson’s Potsdam location? Start with the following resources. 

Planning Your Visit

While we love the regional saying "All roads lead to Potsdam," which dates back to 1806, we recognize that most people don't arrive by accident. Understand how to travel to the Village of Potsdam by air, train or car.

Places to Stay

Potsdam is home to various national chain hotels, locally owned motels and bed-and-breakfast accommodations. As you explore, you’ll find that our surrounding town has turned into a local culinary destination.

Parking

Learn more about where to park around campus, and understand how to obtain a parking permit as a student.

CTA Block