Head-to-Head Comparison
Clemson University vs University of Connecticut
- Clemson Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 11
- Connecticut Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Clemson University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $22,253 vs University of Connecticut's $25,097, Clemson University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Clemson University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $71,513 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Clemson
- Lower cost: Average net price of $22,253, roughly $2,844 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 38% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Connecticut
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $73,997 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Clemson University
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #251-275
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Clemson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (26% of degrees); Connecticut in Social Sciences (13%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Connecticut over Clemson University. Median earnings of $73,997 ten years after enrollment vs $71,513.
Pick Clemson University over University of Connecticut. Net price $22,253 vs $25,097.
Pick University of Connecticut over Clemson University. THE World Rank #251-275 vs #350-400.
Pick University of Connecticut over Clemson University. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1.2%.
Pick Clemson University over University of Connecticut. 87% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Clemson University and University of Connecticut are close on paper, but Clemson University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Clemson University is the harder admit. It takes 38% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,353 to 1,348.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Clemson University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Clemson University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $22,253, about $2,844 a year below University of Connecticut's $25,097.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $11,376 before any change in aid. Choosing Clemson University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Connecticut graduates report median earnings of $73,997, compared with $71,513 at Clemson University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Connecticut has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.29x to 0.3x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Clemson University graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of Connecticut does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at Clemson University, it is 1.2%. University of Connecticut also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Connecticut offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, University of Connecticut sits higher, at #251 versus #350.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Clemson University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Connecticut for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Clemson University saves about $2,844 a year, yet University of Connecticut graduates earn $2,484 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Clemson University is harder to get into, with a 38% admit rate, but University of Connecticut posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Clemson University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while University of Connecticut leans toward Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Clemson competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,097 runs well above Clemson University's $22,253.
- Engineering-focused students: Clemson University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Connecticut has less business program depth, and Clemson University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Clemson holds onto its admits more tightly: 21% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Connecticut — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Connecticut offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Clemson does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public
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.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
Clemson University is featured on the Best Colleges in South Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Clemson's top program is Business Administration (26% of enrollment), while Connecticut leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Clemson) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Clemson University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Health Professions. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Clemson
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Clemson University or University of Connecticut?
Clemson University is harder to get into, admitting 38% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Clemson University or University of Connecticut?
Clemson University is more affordable, with an average net price of $22,253 after aid versus $25,097 at University of Connecticut.
Do Clemson University or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
University of Connecticut graduates earn more: median earnings of $73,997 ten years after enrollment, versus $71,513 at Clemson University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Clemson University or University of Connecticut?
Clemson University has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 84%.
Clemson University vs University of Connecticut: which is better for social mobility?
University of Connecticut is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1.2%.
Should you choose Clemson University or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Clemson University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Connecticut if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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