Clarkson University is a private research university with its main campus in Potsdam, New York. Clarkson has additional graduate programs and research facilities in the New York Capital District. It was established in 1896 and enrolled over 4,000 students in 2024. Students pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in each of its schools and institutes: the David D. Reh School of Business, Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Earl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health and Life Sciences, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and Institute for STEM Education. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Clarkson's athletic teams, known as the Golden Knights, compete in 20 varsity sports. While predominantly an NCAA Division III school competing in the Liberty League, both men's and women's ice hockey teams compete in Division I as members of ECAC Hockey. The women's hockey program has won three NCAA championships (2014, 2017, and 2018), marking the university's first national titles.