CofC vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with Clemson University in Clemson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clemson University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Clemson University 16:1.

CofC vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Clemson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Charleston than Clemson ($21,004 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 7.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,284 vs. $14,332).
• Clemson University is 19.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $2,576 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Clemson than at College of Charleston (about $2,570 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Clemson University (95% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 26.8% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($11,389 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC or Clemson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clemson and CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 100 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Clemson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• 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 (60%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

CofC vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and Clemson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University and CofC graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Clemson University and CofC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.