CofC vs. Clemson

Should I go to College of Charleston or Clemson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CofC 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 Auburn Virginia Tech Florida Tennessee Ohio State Penn State Coastal Carolina Furman Alabama
College of Charleston vs. Clemson University comparison
College of Charleston Clemson University College 3 College 4
College of Charleston Clemson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CofC Clemson
Location Charleston, SC Clemson, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 10,885 28,466
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #428 #133
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cofc.edu clemson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CofC Clemson
Tuition (In State) $12,518 $14,118
Tuition (Out of State) $35,338 $38,062
Room & Board $12,986 $12,350
Avg Net Price $21,120 $24,577
Avg Grant Aid $9,499 $10,430
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 79%

Admission

CofC Clemson
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,020 52,819
Admitted 16,666 22,704
Acceptance Rate 75.7% 43%
Enrolled % 13.3% 20.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.94 3.75
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/30 28/32
SAT Range 1130/1300 1220/1410
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 Jan 15, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

CofC Clemson
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

CofC Clemson
Graduation Rate 63% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $57,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $222

Diversity

CofC Clemson
% Men 32% 48%
% Women 68% 52%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 83%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

CofC Clemson
% In-State 44% 52%
% Out-of-State 54% 46%

Campus

CofC 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

  • Clemson University is larger than than CofC based on total student enrollment (28,466 students vs. 10,885 students)

CofC vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Clemson?

  • Clemson University is 12.8% more expensive to attend than CofC for in-state tuition ($14,118.00 vs. $12,518.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.7% higher at Clemson than College of Charleston ($38,062.00 vs. $35,338.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Charleston than Clemson ($21,120 vs. $24,577)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 5.1% lower than costs at College of Charleston ($12,350 vs. $12,986)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at College of Charleston than Clemson University (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 9.8% larger than aid received College of Charleston ($10,430 vs. $9,499)

CofC vs. Clemson Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clemson University (1275) is 134 points higher than at CofC (1141)
  • Incoming Clemson students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at CofC (26)
  • Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Clemson (3.75)
  • CofC has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Clemson (43%)

CofC vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CofC 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 CofC.

  • The graduation rate at Clemson is higher than College of Charleston (80% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Clemson University earn on average $10,900 more per year than CofC graduates after ten years. ($57,100 vs. $46,200)
  • Clemson University and CofC graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($21,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Clemson University and CofC 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 CofC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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