In 1887 American businessman Jonas Gilman Clark gave £1m to found a new private, non-profit university in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Clark University was the first all-graduate university in the USA when it was founded, specialising in psychology, biology, physics and chemistry. It was also one of the first research universities to open on the continent. Although small in terms of student numbers, the university retains an excellent reputation for its research.

As well as the original founding schools Clark University has grown its capacity over the years and now offers 32 undergraduate majors, 12 masters degree programs, 4 dual masters programs and 8 PhD programs. The most popular majors are psychology, political Science, biology, business management and economics.

The campus is a collection of old red brick buildings spread over one city block about 2 miles from downtown Worcester and only 40 miles from the city of Boston. Worcester is the second largest city in New England and is a centre for healthcare, financial services, biotechnology and higher education. The dynamic environment means Clark University students are well placed for internships, professional placements and jobs after graduation

The small size of the university is intended to make for a positive learning experience with a high faculty to student ratio. Clark University is also very cosmopolitan for its size with international students accounting for 15% of its population.

Alumni include two Pulitzer Prize winners and an Emmy Award recipient. The rocket scientist Robert H. Goddard studied and taught at the university and civil rights activist d D'Army Bailey also studied here.