Clemson University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Clemson University (Clemson) is a public research university in Clemson, South Carolina, with about 23,300 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 38.34% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $71,513 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,554
- 2024 Average Net Price: $22,253 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 38.34% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 23,300 97.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 86.56%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 17.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition decrease of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 87.6%
- Average SAT Score: 1353
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,916
- Applicants (IPEDS): 60,122
- Room & Board: $13,284 annual estimate
Clemson University: what the data shows
Common questions about Clemson University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Clemson University?
Clemson University is located in Clemson, SC (ZIP 29634).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is Clemson University public or private?
Clemson University is a Public institution.
How much does Clemson University cost?
Published tuition: $15,554 in-state, $40,866 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $22,253.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $13,607 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,109 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,851 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,833 |
| $110,001+ | $27,922 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $62,216.
How hard is it to get into Clemson University?
Admission rate: 38.34%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1353 and midpoint ACT 30.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Clemson University?
Total enrollment: 23,300 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 24,916 students.
Graduate enrollment: 5,676 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Clemson University?
150%-time completion rate: 86.56%.
First-year retention: 93.5%.
What do graduates of Clemson University earn?
Median earnings: $58,311 six years after entry; $71,513 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
14.75% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Clemson University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (725 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (420 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (406 completions)
- Industrial Engineering (397 completions)
- Finance, General (380 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (354 completions)
- Psychology, General (328 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (303 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (255 completions)
- Accounting (250 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Clemson University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 38.34%; completion rate 86.56%; median earnings $71,513 at 10 years; net price $22,253. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$15,554
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Clemson University was $15,554.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$22,253
2024 Value
In 2024 Clemson University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $22,253.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$89,012 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$22,253 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$62,216 4-Year In-State Tuition
$163,464 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$13,284 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,456 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$30,294 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$121,176 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Clemson University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
14.75% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
31.16% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Clemson University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Clemson University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $13,054 | $30,488 | $12,377 |
| 2014 | $13,446 | $31,462 | $16,306 |
| 2015 | $14,272 | $33,190 | $15,885 |
| 2016 | $14,708 | $34,590 | $16,770 |
| 2017 | $15,116 | $36,058 | $17,696 |
| 2018 | $15,374 | $37,128 | $18,252 |
| 2019 | $15,558 | $38,550 | $20,008 |
| 2020 | $15,558 | $38,550 | $21,262 |
| 2021 | $15,558 | $38,550 | $22,116 |
| 2022 | $15,558 | $39,502 | $22,433 |
| 2023 | $15,554 | $39,498 | $22,112 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
38.34% Acceptance Rate
60,122 Total Applicants
22,879 Students Admitted
4,494 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.64% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1353
ACT Average: 30
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Clemson University reported total enrollment of about 23,300 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%), and Black or African American (5.0%). About 14.75% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 17.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Clemson University in 2024 is 23,300 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 24,916 students. Graduate enrollment is about 5,676 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
93.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 75.7%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
68.29% 100% Completion Time
86.56% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 68.29% of students graduating from Clemson University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 61% male / 39% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 28% male / 72% female
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 34% male / 66% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Clemson University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$71,513 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
30.06% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
703.41% Return on Investment
3.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Clemson University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 137 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 725 completions
2. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 420 completions
3. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 406 completions
4. Industrial Engineering: 397 completions
5. Finance, General: 380 completions
6. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 354 completions
7. Psychology, General: 328 completions
8. Mechanical Engineering: 303 completions
9. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 255 completions
Most popular programs at Clemson University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Clemson University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Clemson University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 87.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,153
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $14,641
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Clemson University is a public institution located in Clemson, SC, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 23,300 students. Student body composition includes White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%), Black or African American (5.0%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 38.34%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1353. The 150%-time completion rate is 86.56%. Approximately 14.75% of students receive Pell Grants. About 17.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Clemson, SC 29634
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 86.56% graduation rate, Clemson University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 137 distinct degree programs, Clemson University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clemson located?
Clemson University is located in Clemson, SC. The institution is also known as Clemson.
What is Clemson's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Clemson University (Clemson) is 38.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 60,122 applicants and 22,879 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Clemson cost?
Reported tuition is $15,554 and average net price is $22,253 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,284 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Clemson?
Clemson University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 24,916 students, White (75.7%), Hispanic or Latino (9.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Clemson?
About 17.2% of students at Clemson University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Clemson University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Clemson University reports midpoint SAT about 1353 and midpoint ACT about 30.
What do graduates of Clemson University earn?
Median earnings are $58,311 six years after entry and $71,513 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Clemson University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 86.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Clemson University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Clemson University public or private?
Clemson University is a public institution located in Clemson, SC.
Is Clemson University an HBCU?
No. Clemson University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Clemson University a tribal college?
No. Clemson University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college profile
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Clemson University vs College of Charleston
- Southeast regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Clemson University vs College of Charleston
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.