Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Clemson, South Carolina |
| Online | clemson.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in upstate South Carolina, Clemson University occupies 17,000 acres alongside Lake Hartwell, approximately 30 miles from Greenville. Originally established in 1889 as Clemson Agricultural College on land bequeathed by former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun and his son-in-law Thomas Green Clemson, the institution has evolved into a public land-grant research university. The campus features a blend of traditional collegiate Gothic architecture and modern facilities, with a central historic district anchored by Tillman Hall. Clemson maintains competitive admission standards and is recognized for its engineering, architecture, and business programs, while also operating a significant agricultural research extension program throughout the state. The university requires first-year students to live on campus and competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Clemson Tigers, with its football program achieving national prominence.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Clemson is rated within the top 24% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Clemson University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#130 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#24 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in South Carolina
#1 in Best Public Colleges in South Carolina
#357 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Value Colleges in South Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1230/1390 |
| ACT | 28/32 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.75 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,436 |
| Other Fees | $1,516 |
| Room and Board | $12,872 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,476 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,338 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,436 |
| Other Fees | $1,516 |
| Room and Board | $12,872 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,476 |
| Total One Year Cost | $59,282 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Engineering | 17% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 7% |
| Biology | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Clemson University.
- What's better: official tour or self-guided tour?
- Balancing ACT subscores across sections?
- Florida State vs. Clemson for sports management?
- Is a 1140 SAT score good enough?
- Hardest Colleges to Get Into in South Carolina?
- What's Clemson's Acceptance Rate?
- What GPA Is Needed for Clemson University?
- Is Clemson Test-Optional for Applications?
- Clemson Early Decision Acceptance Rate?
- What's Clemson's transfer acceptance rate?
- What SAT score is needed for Clemson?
- What are my chances of admission to Clemson?
- What are Clemson's admission requirements?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217882 IPEDS survey data for Clemson University.
Current students may use the Clemson University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025