Consumer Information

Paul Smith’s College is a small private four-year college in the breathtaking Adirondacks of upstate New York. We’re famous for our extraordinary location and our hands-on degree programs in fields such as natural sciences, sustainability, forestry, business, hospitality, recreation, and culinary arts–drawing on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.

• Paul Smith’s College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• The BS in Forestry and the AAS in Forest Technology programs are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF)

• The College-owned forest is certified by the SmartWood Program, a certification organization accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council

• AT PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE, IT’S ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

  • Culinary Arts students spend hours chopping, braising & baking in commercial kitchens, including two on-campus training restaurants
  • Forestry students help manage thousands of acres of land, then transform fresh timber into finished boards in our sawmill
  • Environmental Science students produce leading-edge research used by state officials to maintain public health
  • Hospitality students work with regional business owners to craft and implement marketing strategies
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs develop actionable, award-winning business plans
  • Watershed Stewards interact with property owners, public officials, nonprofits and the public to combat aquatic invasive species
  • With 20+ degree programs, the examples are endless

  What’s the result? No matter which field they choose, our capable, experienced Smitties are always in demand.

Welcome to the majestic Adirondacks, the largest park in the lower 48 states. In its six million acres of wilderness, you can explore old-growth forests, climb dozens of mountain peaks, paddle and fish on hundreds of sparkling lakes, and attend one remarkable school: Paul Smith’s College.

A Big, Beautiful Backyard

No other school in America has a view quite like Paul Smith’s. Our sustainable modern campus sits on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake surrounded by thousands of acres of college-owned land that’s part of the Adirondacks Lakes Region. (In all, Paul Smith’s owns 14,200 acres throughout the Adirondacks.) The region features 240 fishable lakes and streams, miles of hiking and biking trails, lakeside beaches, whitewater rafting, and world-class canoeing and kayaking in the St. Regis Wilderness Canoe Area, all within a few miles of your residence hall.

Culture & Connections

One of the greatest benefits of living in the Adirondacks is our close proximity to hopping cultural and tourist destinations like Lake Placid—two-time host of the Winter Olympics—and Saranac Lake. Every weekend, we run free shuttle buses from Paul Smith’s to Lake Placid, so you have a safe way to go out and get home. If you’re a culinary arts or hospitality major, the nearby resorts, hotels and restaurants are always looking to hire Paul Smith’s students for internships, summer jobs and full-time positions.

Center for Sustainability Mission Statement 

The Center for Sustainability empowers a sustainable campus community through infrastructure planning, community and campus partnerships, experiential education, and service learning. We work to build a more resilient campus and community by protecting natural ecosystems, creating economic prosperity and promoting social equity.

Paul Smith’s College Mission

• To develop career-ready graduates through hands-on, personalized education.
• To educate, research and advocate on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people that inhabit it.
• To help the Adirondack region be ecologically and economically sustainable.