Clemson Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Clemson, SC
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Clemson Admission Overview

Clemson admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in South Carolina. Last year Clemson admitted 38.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1240-1410 / ACT 28-32. Clemson is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clemson is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.clemson.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/apply/first-year.html

Clemson Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

38.3%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Clemson acceptance rate is 38.3%. Last year, 23,586 of 61,517 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in South Carolina and the 145th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Clemson is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clemson GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.75*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Clemson has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Clemson is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.75 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Clemson Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Clemson University is test-optional for first-year admission. Applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered. Students who choose to send scores must have official results sent by the College Board or ACT; Clemson superscores both exams. Applicants may switch whether scores are considered through November 1 for Early Action or January 10 for Regular Decision and scholarship review.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.clemson.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/apply/first-year.html

Clemson SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1240-1410

Freshmen who sent SAT

35%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 620
Math 620
Composite 1240

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 700
Math 710
Composite 1410

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Clemson typically score around a 1330 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1410) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. Clemson ranks #2 in the state of South Carolina and #173 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1410

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Clemson is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1330 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Clemson University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1410+	Above 75th	>54%
1330 to 1410	Avg +	39%-54%
1240 to 1330	Avg -	24%-39%
Below 1240	Below mid-50	<24%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Clemson ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

20%

25th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 26
Composite 28

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 31
Composite 32

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Clemson typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 28–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Clemson places #1 among colleges in South Carolina and #155 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Clemson without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Clemson University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32+	Above 75th	>54%
30 to 32	Avg +	38%-54%
28 to 30	Avg -	24%-38%
Below 28	Below mid-50	<24%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Clemson chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Clemson University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	36,761	23,737	61,517
Accepted	14,573	8,572	23,586
Acceptance Rate	40%	36%	38%
Enrolled	2,897	1,923	4,880
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	22%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Clemson University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

243

Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Clemson University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Clemson is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 38.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1410); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025