Exceptional Education
St. Lawrence County is home to 5 highly regarded colleges and universities, 18 local school districts and many vocational tech programs, offering outstanding education options from K-12 and beyond.
3Vocational & Technical Centers
15,334Students
13:1Student-Teacher Ratio
88.7%Educational Attainment (HS or higher)*
19Public High Schools
Impressive Pre-K to 12 Performance
When it comes to a quality K-12 public education, St. Lawrence County scores above average on the New York State Education Department (NYSED) report card. Compared to their New York State peers, the County’s students place higher for graduation rates, and have more students graduating with either a Regents or a Regents Advanced Designation diploma.
The Board Of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provides St. Lawrence County high school students and adults with valuable career training to prepare for successful futures in the evolving global economy.
A Vibrant College Community
St. Lawrence County’s 5 award-winning higher-educational colleges and universities prepare students for a range of careers in all sectors of the economy.
- Clarkson University
- St. Lawrence University
- State University of New York at Canton
- State University of New York at Potsdam
- SUNY ESF Ranger School in Wanakena
A Matter of Degrees
Our colleges & universities offer degrees in a wide variety of concentrations, including: Business, Engineering, Health, Computer Science, Communications, Education, Technology, Biology/Chemistry, Ag Studies, Social Sciences, Forest Technology, Mathematics, Global Supply Chain Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Mechatronics, Technological Communications, and Liberal Arts.
Degree Concentrations
In 2022, universities in St. Lawrence County, NY awarded 3,559 degrees.
Clarkson University
Clarkson University is a nationally ranked research university offering more than 50 comprehensive programs in business, engineering, science, liberal arts, health sciences, and environmental studies.
Clarkson has an international reputation in the field of Advanced Materials Science, Biotechnology, Environment & Energy, Entrepreneurship, and Global Supply Chain Management, and was recently named one of the top ten colleges for producing engineers.1
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University, a private university, is a collaborative community of learners. This Liberal Arts university is highly regarded for the flexibility of education tailored to each student. The University’s multi-field major program allows students to design their own course of study.
2019’s most popular majors were Economics, Business in the Liberal Arts, Psychology, Government and Biology. St. Lawrence University was named one of the best ‘hidden gem’ universities in New York State.2
State University of New York at Canton
Originally chartered in 1906 as the first postsecondary, two-year college in New York, SUNY Canton has grown to become a leader in technology education. It’s home to the county’s Small Business Development Center and CREST: Career Ready Education And Success Training, offering customized workforce development training.
Students at SUNY Canton may cross-register with Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, and SUNY Potsdam.
State University of New York at Potsdam
SUNY Potsdam was founded in 1816, making it one of America’s first 50 colleges, and the oldest in the SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam is divided into three schools with more than 40 majors offered: Arts and Sciences, Music, and Teacher Education.
SUNY Potsdam is home to the Crane School of Music, a world-renowned leader in music and music education.
SUNY ESF Ranger School
Located in the heart of the six million-acre Adirondack Park, the SUNY ESF Ranger School in Wanakena offers a unique educational experience in a spectacular natural setting. The 2,800-acre campus supports the field-based education that is a hallmark of the ranger school, educating students for careers in environmental conservation, forestry, and surveying.
Entrepreneurial Development
The Reh Center for Entrepreneurship
The Reh Center for Entrepreneurship provides experiential opportunities that establish a solid entrepreneurial foundation. Students gain advice and expertise to not only propel their businesses forward, but also learn how to work systematically – a skill that will pay off when they enter industry. The best part? Many of the student-run businesses continue to operate after the students graduate.
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs Program
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs Program catapults student ideas into business success stories. In a unique partnership, students within this program attend Clarkson tuition-free through a combination of merit-based financial aid and the University’s acquisition of a 10 percent ownership interest in their business ventures. A maximum of five students per year can participate in this one-of-a-kind program that allows you to pursue your idea while earning a degree at a top-ranked university.
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1 IndustryWeek
2 College Raptor
* Educational attainment: 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
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