Clemson, SC
Clemson University is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina, situated in a midsize suburb. The university serves an undergraduate enrollment of 23,300 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38.3%, indicating selective admissions where admitted applicants represent roughly two of every five who apply. This moderate selectivity suggests applicants typically need competitive qualifications to gain admission.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 23,462 | 8,621 | 36.7% | 1,872 |
| Women | 36,378 | 14,146 | 38.9% | 2,606 |
Clemson University admits 38.3% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Clemson University's cost of attendance is $35,814, while the average net price students pay is $22,253, meaning the typical student pays considerably less than the sticker price.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $228.
After aid, Clemson University costs $22,253 a year — about 52% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Clemson University reports an 87.2% graduation rate. Six years after entry, median earnings reach $58,311, increasing to $71,513 by ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management,... | 498 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 406 |
| Finance, General | 380 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 336 |
| Psychology, General | 327 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 255 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 227 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 178 |
| Accounting | 163 |
| Industrial Engineering | 161 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Clemson University are $65,822, and 78% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Clemson University students earn $58,311 — 27% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Clemson University is a public institution located in a midsize suburb of Clemson, South Carolina, with an undergraduate enrollment of 23,300 students. The student body includes 54.3% women, 17.2% first-generation students, and 14.8% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
587 of 22,126 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
181 of 22,875 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,936 of 5,872 graduate students.
Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Clemson University spends $18,579 per student on research — about 2× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Clemson University is in Clemson, SC, in what IPEDS classifies as a midsize suburb setting. The campus sits about 1.4 miles from the center of Clemson. There are 2 other colleges within 25 miles, and Spartanburg, SC is 54.8 miles away.
Pickens County scores 7.0 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 30.3% of Clemson's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Clemson University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Clemson University reported 188 arrests and 429 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Clemson University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38.3%. This means the university is selective in admissions, though it accepts a significant portion of applicants.
Clemson has an undergraduate enrollment of 23,300 students. This midsize student body allows for a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
The cost of attendance is $35,814 annually, though the average net price after aid is $22,253. Tuition and fees alone are $40,866 per year.
The average net price at Clemson is $22,253 annually, which is substantially lower than the total cost of attendance of $35,814. This demonstrates significant institutional aid availability.
Approximately 14.8% of Clemson students are Pell grant recipients. Additionally, 17.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Clemson University has a graduation rate of 87.2%, reflecting strong student retention and completion rates.
Six years after entry, the median earnings for Clemson graduates are $58,311. By ten years after entry, median earnings increase to $71,513.
The median federal debt at graduation is $21,500. However, only 31.2% of students borrow federal loans, so many graduate debt-free.
The three-year loan repayment rate at Clemson is 77.6%, indicating that most borrowers successfully manage their federal student loan obligations.
Women comprise 54.3% of Clemson's undergraduate population, representing a slight female majority on campus.