Florida vs. Clemson

Deciding between University of Florida and Clemson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Florida
Clemson University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Florida Gainesville, FL
  • Clemson Clemson, SC
  • Setting
  • Florida Midsize City
  • Clemson Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Florida 56,311
  • Clemson 29,077
  • Type
  • Florida Public 4 Year
  • Clemson Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Florida #74
  • Clemson #132
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Florida -
  • Clemson -
  • Status
  • Florida Non-profit
  • Clemson Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Florida
  • Clemson

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Florida $6,381
  • Clemson $15,554
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Florida $28,659
  • Clemson $40,866
  • Room & Board
  • Florida $12,120
  • Clemson $13,284
  • Average Net Price
  • Florida $11,936
  • Clemson $25,003
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Florida $10,846
  • Clemson $11,389
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Florida 91%
  • Clemson 75%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Florida 73,557
  • Clemson 61,517
  • Admitted
  • Florida 17,804
  • Clemson 23,586
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Florida 24.2%
  • Clemson 38.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Florida 42.2%
  • Clemson 20.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Florida 1400
  • Clemson 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Florida 31
  • Clemson 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Florida 3.9
  • Clemson 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Florida A
  • Clemson A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Florida Exceptional
  • Clemson Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Florida Very High
  • Clemson High
  • ACT Range
  • Florida 29/33
  • Clemson 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • Florida 1320/1480
  • Clemson 1240/1410
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Florida Required
  • Clemson Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Florida Mar 1, 2027
  • Clemson May 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Florida 16:1
  • Clemson 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Florida
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Clemson
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Florida 84%
  • Clemson 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Florida $62,600
  • Clemson $57,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Florida 68%
  • Clemson 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Florida $15,815
  • Clemson $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Florida $163
  • Clemson $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Florida 44%
  • Clemson 46%
  • % Women
  • Florida 56%
  • Clemson 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Florida High
  • Clemson Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Florida No
  • Clemson No
  • % White
  • Florida 57%
  • Clemson 83%
  • % Asian
  • Florida 8%
  • Clemson 2%
  • % Black
  • Florida 6%
  • Clemson 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Florida 21%
  • Clemson 3%
  • % Native American
  • Florida 0%
  • Clemson 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Florida 1%
  • Clemson 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Florida 3%
  • Clemson 3%
  • % International
  • Florida 1%
  • Clemson 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Florida 3%
  • Clemson 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Florida 73%
  • Clemson 56%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Florida 19%
  • Clemson 43%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Florida Yes
  • Clemson Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Florida No
  • Clemson No
  • Meal Plan
  • Florida Yes
  • Clemson Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Florida Yes
  • Clemson No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Florida Yes
  • Clemson No

Comparable Facts

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

University of Florida is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (56,311 students vs. 29,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Florida vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida 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 University of Florida than Clemson ($11,936 vs. $25,003).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Florida are 8.8% lower than at Clemson University ($12,120 vs. $13,284).
  • Clemson University is 143.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida (about $9,173 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $6,381.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.6% higher at Clemson than at University of Florida (about $12,207 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $28,659.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Florida than at Clemson University (91% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 5% larger than aid received by University of Florida students ($11,389 vs. $10,846).

Florida vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida 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 Florida.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Florida (1400) is 70 points higher than at Clemson (1330).
  • Incoming Florida students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Clemson).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 1320/1480; Clemson University 1240/1410.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Florida 29/33; Clemson University 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida - Required; Clemson - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Florida Mar 1, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Florida students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Clemson (3.75).
  • Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than Florida (24.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.2% at Florida vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

Florida vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida 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).

  • University of Florida's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Clemson University's (80%).
  • Graduates from University of Florida earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,600 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Florida graduates have a $5,685 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($15,815 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Florida graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($163 vs. $222).
  • More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.