The Ignite Presidential Fellowship is a merit-based scholarship covering all tuition costs for 10 first-time students entering Clarkson for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study.

To apply for this award, you must:

• First, you must apply to Clarkson University for Early Decision OR Regular Decision.
• Second, you must apply for the Ignite Presidential Fellowship by February 15.

Clarkson University now offers an additional $8,000 scholarship to Early Decision admission applicants. The scholarship will be split evenly over four years ($2,000 per year) and is exclusively offered to Early Decision admission applicants.

To qualify for this award, you must:

• apply for admission to Clarkson via Early Decision no later than December 1
• be a new incoming freshman applicant 
• submit your Early Decision admission deposit within two weeks of receiving your financial aid notice (in extenuating circumstances the Admission Office may offer a short extension)

Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester.

Clarkson offers a $1000 scholarship to any student who has an official undergraduate admissions visit to our Potsdam, New York campus. Visits must be completed no later than December 1st for Early Decision and February 15 for Regular Decision of the senior year of high school. Like most Clarkson scholarships, this award is renewable each year for four years for a total of $4,000. Each student will only receive one $1000 Clarkson Visit Scholarship, regardless of how many official admission visits they complete.

Qualifying official admission visits include:

• any personalized visit set up directly through the Undergraduate Admission Office
• pre-arranged overnight admission visits for accepted students
• Summer Visit Day, Fall Open House, Spring Open House, Accepted Students Day
• Group visits to campus (high school, college planning/access program, athletics) in which you have a pre-arranged on-campus admission interview or complete an interview following the visit via phone, video or an off-campus interview 
• Official Admission Virtual Visits and Official Admission Virtual Events will count (until further notice)

Federal, State, and Institutional Aid is awarded on an annual basis. It is based on full time enrollment (12 credits per semester) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is not enrolled in a semester, the aid will be pro-rated for 1 semester of attendance, i.e. 1/2 of the annual award amount. Students are not eligible to receive the annual total amount in one single semester. 

The Honors Program offers unique academic challenges and experiential learning opportunities to prepare Clarkson University’s most promising students to lead fulfilling lives and to drive positive change in science, technology, and society. Admission to the Honors Program is highly competitive and requires a separate application. Learn more about the Honors Program application process.

Students interested in the Honors Program must complete the Honors Program application in addition to the regular admissions requirements for Clarkson University. The priority deadline for Honors is February 1. Early applications are welcome and will be reviewed as they are completed.

Learn more about applying to the Honors Program. 

Scholarships are available, but Clarkson does not provide need-based aid to international students.

Clarkson considers your academic record and potential to succeed here.

Clarkson's international scholarships range from $5,000 to $40,000 a year.

Clarkson's cost of attendance increases incrementally each year.

International scholarships do not increase after the first year.

A Clarkson degree holds one of the highest returns on your investment in education — we boast a 96 percent placement rate for undergraduates and a 98 percent placement rate for graduate students in their chosen fields. An emphasis on innovative thinking, leadership, and career development throughout your time as a student, as well as an impressive and far-reaching alumni network, will provide you with a highly in-demand skill-set, impressive career earnings potential and opportunities. 

Learn More 

At Clarkson you'll have the opportunity to conduct research with renowned faculty members. Our scholars are working on innovative solutions to pressing issues in engineering, the sciences, technology, healthcare and business to create a better tomorrow. 

Learn More About Research

Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, which means undergraduate students are required to take part in a Professional Experience like an internship or co-op during their time at Clarkson. Similarly, graduate students work with local companies to apply what they're learning in the classroom to real problems faced by actual companies. In addition to this opportunity to gain real-life, professional experience, our Career Center offers a variety of services and resources to help you improve your resume and interview skills and find career opportunities.

Learn More About Career Development 

With about 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students at our Potsdam campus, Clarkson offers a tight-knit community experience. Outside of academics our students are involved in more than 200 clubs, organizations and activities. Many students also take advantage of our scenic location, enjoying a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, biking, etc. 

Explore Campus Activities

Complete ONE of the applications listed below:

• Clarkson Transfer Application (online)
• Common Application (online)

You will also need to submit the following supporting materials:

• Dean of Students Recommendation Form *needs to be completed prior to enrollment.
• Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. (If you attended college outside of New York State, please provide course descriptions.)
• Letters of recommendation. While not required, Clarkson will consider recommendations during the application review process. These recommendations can come from a professor, an employer, a former teacher, a coach or another professional.
• Personal statement (250-500 words) describing a special interest, experience or achievement that is important or meaningful to you.
• All transfer students are REQUIRED to submit a final high school transcript. This is required for federal aid and will not be taken into consideration for admissions unless the criteria below for credits is not met.

If you have earned fewer than 24 hours of credit at your current college or university, you will also need to supply the following information:

• Official high school record.
• Test optional: SAT/ACT scores. If submitted, the scores will be taken into consideration during the admissions process. Clarkson also accepts self-reported test scores.
  • Clarkson SAT code: 2084
  • Clarkson ACT code: 2698

Step 1: Complete one of the applications below

• Clarkson Transfer Application
• Common Application

Step 2: Submit the following supporting materials

• Dean of Students Recommendation Form (needs to be completed prior to enrollment).
• Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. If you attended college outside of New York State, please provide course descriptions.
• Letters of recommendation are not required but will be considered during the application review process. The recommendations can come from a professor, employer, former teacher, coach or another professional.
• Personal statement (250-500 words) describing a special interest, experience or achievement that is important or meaningful to you.
• All transfer students must submit a final high school transcript. This is required for federal aid and will not be taken into consideration for admission unless you have earned fewer than 24 hours of credit at your current college or university. All transcripts should be translated.
• Official English proficiency test scores, unless you are applying from a country with English testing waivers. Acceptable tests and minimum scores are:
  • TOEFL: 80
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • Duolingo English Test: 115
  • PTE: 56

Step 3: Additional information for the application

If you have earned fewer than 24 hours of credit at your current college or university, you will need to submit:

• Official high school record.
• Test optional: SAT/ACT scores. If submitted, the scores will be taken into consideration during the admissions process. Clarkson also accepts self-reported test scores.
  • Clarkson SAT code: 2084
  • Clarkson ACT code: 2698
• If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are likely going to need a student visa. For more information, please visit the International Center to learn more about this process.
• To receive an I-20, you will need to show proof of financial support. There are two ways to do that:
  • Complete and return the Certificate of Finance Form. This will appear on your checklist in the admission portal.
  • Provide a certified letter from your sponsor indicating the amount of support available for each year along with a supporting letter from a bank official.

A limited number of on-campus housing units (apartment style) are available. The semester rates may be found here. Please contact Residence Life to reserve housing on campus. Campus housing is a great solution for those wanting the closest proximity to campus.

Visit Residence Life

We've put together a list of local communities and other resources. These rental agreements are between the student and rental company or landlord.

• Collegiate Village of Potsdam (2.0 miles/3.21 kilometers from CU campus).
• Meadow East Apartments (2.1 miles/3.34 kilometers from CU campus).
• Crescent Meadows Apartments (0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers from CU campus).
• Garden Place Estates (4.0 miles/6.43 kilometers from CU campus).
• Swan Landing Associates (0.6 miles/0.96 kilometers from CU campus).
• Adirondack Quality Apartments (1.5 miles/2.41 kilometers from CU campus).
• Liberty Rental of Canton (11 miles/17 kilometers from CU campus) *public transportation in the area is very limited; a personal vehicle is recommended.
• Your NY Home
• North Country Now
• Potsdam Living

You are expected to have a valid Clarkson University Identification Access/ID card when on any Clarkson University campus. ID cards are effective from your first day of study. Your Clarkson student ID will work at all of our campus locations. To secure an ID, please log into your PeopleSoft account and follow the instructions found in your "To-do" List.

Vehicles on the Potsdam or Schenectady campus must be registered. You can find the form in your CU account. To secure a parking pass/sticker:

• Potsdam: Your registration sticker can be picked up during orientation along with your student ID.
• Schenectady: Your registration pass can be picked up at the front desk on the first floor of the Capital Region Campus.

If you did not do this during the admissions process, obtain your username and PIN to complete the password setup process. This will allow you to access PeopleSoft, Campus Email, Moodle (for courses with online components) and on-campus computers. For assistance, email the OIT Helpdesk.

This will be provided in your orientation folder. Read the packet and return the signed front page to your graduate coordinator within one week of arrival.

$1,545 per credit (this rate pertains to all students including military)

• Basic Science (MS)
• Bioscience & Biotechnology (MS)
• Bioscience and Biotechnology (PhD)
• Chemistry (MS)
• Chemistry (PhD)
• Computer Science (MS)
• Computer Science (PhD)
• Mathematics (MS)
• Mathematics (PhD)
• Physics (MS)
• Physics (PhD)

$1,545 per credit (Potsdam-based programs)
$1,025 per credit (Capital Region-based programs)
(these rates pertain to all students including military)

• Business of Energy (Advanced Certificate)
• Chemical Engineering (MS)
• Chemical Engineering (PhD)
• Civil and Environmental Engineering (MS)
• Civil and Environmental Engineering (PhD)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
• Materials Science and Engineering (PhD)
• Mechanical Engineering (MS)
• Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
• Power Systems Engineering (Advanced Certificate)

$1,545 per credit (this rate pertains to all students including military)

• Environmental Policy (MS)
• Environmental Science and Engineering (MS)
• Environmental Science and Engineering (PhD)

$1,025 per credit (this rate pertains to all students including military)

• Business Administration, 1-Year Residential MBA
• Business Administration, Online MBA
• Business Analytics, Residential MBA
• Business, Advanced Certificates
• Global Supply Chain Management, Residential MBA
• Healthcare Management, MBA
• Clinical Leadership, MS
• Healthcare Data Analytics, MS
• Combined MBA/MS Health Care Data Analytics

• Occupational Therapy (MS) – $11,035 per term (7 terms)
• Physical Therapy (DPT) – $12,719 per term (8 terms)
• Physician Assistant Studies (MS) – $13,685 per term (7 terms)

$1,025 per credit (this rate pertains to all students including military)

• Construction Engineering Management (MS)
• Construction Engineering Management (Advanced Certificate)
• Engineering Management (MS)
• Applied Data Science (MS)
• Dual Degree MS in Data Science/MBA