Clemson University
#1 Best Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 87% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $71,513 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $22,253 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 38% A
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,760,020.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 75% more than the national college median.
-
A 87% graduation rate — 53% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.9%
- Top 27%
- Patents
- 169
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #350-400
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 179
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 17/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Clemson University Matters
Clemson University is a public research university in Clemson, SC ranked #350-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 23,300
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Clemson University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 38% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1240–1410. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,253 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $71,513 ten years after enrolling — 75% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 65% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Clemson University is a great fit for students who seek a strong sense of community and a variety of academic paths. With around 23,300 undergraduates, there’s a vibrant campus life, and the acceptance rate of 38% means it’s selective but still accessible for many. Students frequently dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Biology & Biomedical, which are well-regarded and align with industry needs.
Looking ahead, graduates from Clemson can expect promising outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $71,513, which reflects the value of their education in real-world terms. While the affordability of higher education continues to be a concern, Clemson’s net price after aid is around $22,253, making it a reasonable option for many families. This financial aspect is crucial, especially when considering long-term financial mobility.
On a practical level, students here graduate with a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable given their earning potential. Those who thrive at Clemson tend to be proactive and engaged, taking advantage of both educational and extracurricular opportunities. With a graduation rate of 87%, it’s clear that many find their stride and succeed in completing their degrees, setting them up for a bright future.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges in South Carolina
- #1 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
- #1 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #1 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #2 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #2 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Clemson University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Clemson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 38%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,353. The graduation rate is roughly 87%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 38%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1353
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1240–1410
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,153
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 52,819
- Admitted
- 22,704
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · unknown
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Clemson University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 21% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 21%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 35%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 20%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 55% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Clemson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Clemson University is $40,866, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,253. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,607 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,554
- Out-of-State
- $40,866
- Avg Net Price
- $22,253
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 15%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,607
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,109
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,851
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,922
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Clemson University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Clemson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Clemson University earn a median of $71,513, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $58,311
- 8 Years
- $65,822
- 10 Years
- $71,513
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.3x
- Earning > $25K
- 78%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,199)
- 63%
- 100% (2,199)
- 63%
- 100% (2,199)
- 63%
- 100% (2,199)
- 63%
How Clemson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Clemson University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Clemson University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,253/year ($89,012 total). Graduates earn $71,513 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,849,032 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,760,020 (20.8× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 87% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,012
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,849,032
- Net Return
- $1,760,020
- ROI Multiple
- 20.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,253
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Clemson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Clemson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.20%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.20%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $163,310
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Clemson University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 169 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 17/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.88%
- Top 27% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 169
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 179
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 17/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 26/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 31/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.23%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-30,076,052
Top Programs
The fields Clemson University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $72,503 early-career
- Engineering 16% $88,783 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $46,457 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 6% $68,765 early-career
- Psychology 5% $32,874 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $82,079 early-career
- Education 4% $40,843 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Clemson University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Clemson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 38%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,353. The graduation rate is roughly 87%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Clemson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Clemson University is $40,866, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,253. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,607 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Clemson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Clemson University earn a median of $71,513, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Clemson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Clemson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.20%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Clemson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Clemson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Clemson University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Clemson University at #350-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 17/100, teaching at 21/100, and citation impact of 26/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Clemson University offer Early Decision?
No. Clemson University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (unknown Common Data Set).
Is Clemson University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 55% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Clemson University (unknown Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Clemson University?
About 21% of admitted students choose to enroll at Clemson University — its yield rate (unknown Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Clemson University.
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer84% grad $74,915 earn 33% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · Close peer83% grad $71,631 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Close peer85% grad $68,758 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Close peer81% grad $65,337 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · Close peer89% grad $68,726 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · Close peer84% grad $73,997 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Clemson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Clemson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note