Auburn vs. Clemson

Should I go to Auburn University or Clemson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Auburn or Clemson is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UofSC Georgia NC State Tennessee Florida State Alabama Virginia Tech Florida CofC Ohio State Penn State Furman
Auburn University vs. Clemson University comparison
Auburn University Clemson University College 3 College 4
Auburn University Clemson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Auburn Clemson
Location Auburn University, AL Clemson, SC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 33,015 28,747
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #300 #130
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website auburn.edu clemson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Auburn Clemson
Tuition (In State) $10,704 $14,038
Tuition (Out of State) $32,112 $37,982
Room & Board $15,396 $12,872
Avg Net Price $24,524 $24,408
Avg Grant Aid $11,644 $10,599
% Receiving Grant Aid 75% 74%

Admission

Auburn Clemson
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 48,178 60,122
Admitted 24,314 22,879
Acceptance Rate 50.5% 38.1%
Enrolled % 24.4% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 25/31 28/32
SAT Range 1240/1380 1230/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 May 1, 2026

Academics

Auburn Clemson
Student to Faculty Ratio 21:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Auburn Clemson
Graduation Rate 66% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,100 $57,100
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $222

Diversity

Auburn Clemson
% Men 9% 10%
% Women 10% 11%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 83%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Auburn Clemson
% In-State 54% 51%
% Out-of-State 46% 48%

Campus

Auburn Clemson
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Auburn University is larger than than Clemson based on total student enrollment (33,015 students vs. 28,747 students)

Auburn vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Clemson?

  • Clemson University is 31.1% more expensive to attend than Auburn for in-state tuition ($14,038.00 vs. $10,704.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.3% higher at Clemson than Auburn University ($37,982.00 vs. $32,112.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clemson University than Auburn ($24,408 vs. $24,524)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 19.6% lower than costs at Auburn University ($12,872 vs. $15,396)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Auburn University than Clemson University (75% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 9.9% larger than aid received Clemson University ($11,644 vs. $10,599)

Auburn vs. Clemson Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Clemson? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Clemson or Auburn .

  • The average SAT score at Clemson University (1275) is 57 points higher than at Auburn (1218)
  • Incoming Clemson students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Auburn (27)
  • Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Clemson (3.75)
  • Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (50.5%) than Clemson (38.1%)

Auburn vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Auburn or Clemson? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Clemson and Auburn.

  • The graduation rate at Clemson is higher than Auburn University (80% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Clemson University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Auburn graduates after ten years. ($57,100 vs. $54,100)
  • Clemson University and Auburn graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($21,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Clemson University and Auburn graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($222 vs. $222)
  • More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/