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Clemson Admission Requirements

Clemson, South Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Clemson University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

43%
Admission Difficulty for Clemson University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Clemson is 43%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in South Carolina and the 183rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Clemson and can you get accepted?

Clemson is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 22,704 out of the 52,819 who applied were admitted.

Clemson University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Clemson?

43% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Clemson University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1320 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Clemson GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Clemson University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Clemson are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Clemson will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Clemson is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. 77% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Clemson is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Clemson University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 77.0% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 11.0% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 7.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 3.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.75 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Clemson SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Clemson University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 45% of students submitted SAT scores and 25% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1220-1410

Applicants Submitting SAT 

45%
SAT Scores for Clemson University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 610
Math 25th Percentile 610
Composite 25th Percentile 1220
SAT Scores for Clemson University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 700
Math 75th Percentile 710
Composite 75th Percentile 1410
Average SAT Score 1320

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Clemson University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Clemson is 1320 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1220-1410. Students who get into Clemson University score in the top 22 percent of all SAT test takers..  Clemson ranks #2 in the state of South Carolina and #169 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1320 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Clemson regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1220 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1220, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1120, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Clemson University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1315, you have around a 43% chance of being admitted. A 1410 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 59% chance of getting in.

Clemson University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1410 and Above Good >59%
1315 to 1410 Avg + 43%-59%
1220 to 1315 Avg - 28%-43%
1125 to 1220 Reach 17%-28%
Less than 1125 Low <17%
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Clemson ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

25%
ACT Scores for Clemson University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Clemson University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Clemson?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Clemson is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 32.  The school ranks #1 in South Carolina and #146 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

25 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Clemson University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Clemson University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Clemson for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 43% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 59% with a 32 ACT score.

Clemson University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >59%
30 to 32 Avg + 43%-59%
28 to 30 Avg - 28%-43%
26 to 28 Reach 17%-28%
Less than 26 Low <17%
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High School Class Rank

55% of Clemson University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Clemson University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 54.7%
Top 25% of class 87%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Clemson University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 32,170 20,644 52,819
Accepted 14,207 8,497 22,704
Acceptance Rate 44% 41% 43%
Enrolled 2,676 1,912 4,588
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 23% 20%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

161

Applicants have 161 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on May 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Clemson University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Clemson University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Clemson University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Clemson University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Clemson is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.75 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1320 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1410 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Clemson University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217882 IPEDS survey data for Clemson University.

Last updated February 24, 2024