Clemson University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Clemson, South Carolina. It enrolls 23,300 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
79/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes93
Value66
Affordability24
Selectivity88
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 38.3%, Clemson University is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
38.3%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1240 – 1410
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
28 – 32
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Clemson University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
13.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Clemson University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,253 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$22,253
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
15%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
31%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$15,554
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$40,866
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,284
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,284
Books & Supplies
$1,456
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,520
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,520
Total Cost of Attendance
$35,015
Application fee: $70 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,607
$30,001 – $48,000
$14,109
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,851
$75,001 – $110,000
$24,833
Over $110,000
$27,922
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$8,74025%percentile
$21,500Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$32,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $21,300
↓ $200
No Pell $17,354
↓ $4,146
Dependent students $19,000
↓ $2,500
Independent students $20,875
↓ $625
Female students $19,500
↓ $2,000
Male students $18,731
↓ $2,769
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($21,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
75% of full-time students who enrolled at Clemson University graduate within six years, and 93% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
75%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
93%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Clemson University earn a median of $71,513 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$71,513
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$51,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$64,900
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$54,700
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$58,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$60,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,700, about 21% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
13.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 92% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Clemson University is home to 23,300 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
23,300
Part-Time
3%
First-Generation
17%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 75.7%17,647
Hispanic 9.1%2,120
Black 5.0%1,158
Other 4.2%981
Asian 2.9%685
International 0.8%189
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Clemson University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize SuburbClemson, South Carolina
Housing
Partly residential7,500 beds available
Adult Learners
2%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Clemson University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
182 distinct programs across
26 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Clemson University is 16:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
16:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$15,901
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$1.0B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$105,842
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,496 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
381
25%
$156,664
Associate Professors
327
22%
$108,832
Assistant Professors
268
18%
$98,981
Instructors
1
0%
$68,993
Lecturers
449
30%
$65,436
No Rank
70
5%
$101,219
Pros & Cons of Clemson University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Clemson University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Clemson University is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clemson University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Clemson University.
Is Clemson University hard to get into?
Clemson University is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 38.3%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at Clemson University?
Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38.3%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Clemson University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Clemson University scored between 1240 and 1410 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Clemson University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Clemson University scored between 28 and 32 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Clemson University cost?
The average net price after aid at Clemson University is $22,253 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Clemson University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,253 per year. That's roughly 3.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Clemson University known for?
Clemson University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Marketing, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Clemson University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Clemson University are $71,513, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Clemson University accredited?
Yes. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend Clemson University?
Clemson University enrolls 23,300 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Clemson University?
Clemson University graduates 75% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Clemson University a public or private college?
Clemson University is a Public institution.
Where is Clemson University located?
Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina.
What programs does Clemson University offer?
Clemson University offers 182 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Marketing, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Clemson University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Clemson University is 16:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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