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Clemson, SC · Public · 23,300 undergraduates · suburban

Clemson University

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Clemson combines multi-semester team research with a first-year Bridge pathway that splits residence and academics between two institutions.

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Institutional profile

Highly regarded Strong in academic standing, and solid in career outcomes.
Academic Strong Affordability Solid Career Solid Mobility Steady Experience Steady
Academic standing Strong
Affordability Solid
Career outcomes Solid
Mobility Steady
Student experience Steady
Admission
38.1% admitted

60,122 applicants in the reported year

Price by income
Resident and nonresident prices differ

Compare recent average annual costs by household income

Completion
84.4%

$71,513 median earnings 10 years after enrollment

What sets Clemson University apart

Academic design

Creative Inquiry teams pursue faculty-mentored research or experiential projects, typically across multiple consecutive semesters and often across disciplines.

Campus pattern

Bridge students live in Clemson-area university housing while taking first-year classes four miles away at Tri-County Technical College.

A signature opportunity

Creative Inquiry.

Can I get in?

38.1% admitted

Bridge to Clemson is invitation-only; participants study at Tri-County during year one before transferring after meeting program requirements.

Recent applicant pool

60,122

About 38 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 38.1%
Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1230–1390
11201500
ACT middle 50%28–32
2535

Of admitted students, 39% submitted an SAT, and 21% submitted an ACT. Use your score when it adds strength to the application; withhold it when it does not.

Entered with a 4.0 GPA81%

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for Clemson University, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What Clemson University weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

  • Course rigor  
  • GPA  
  • Test scores  
  • Essay  
  • Recommendations  
  • Extracurriculars  
  • Demonstrated interest  
See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

01

Show preparation for this curriculum

Creative Inquiry teams pursue faculty-mentored research or experiential projects, typically across multiple consecutive semesters and often across disciplines.

02

Make institutional fit specific

Clemson combines multi-semester team research with a first-year Bridge pathway that splits residence and academics between two institutions.

03

Use the application route carefully

Bridge to Clemson is invitation-only; participants study at Tri-County during year one before transferring after meeting program requirements.

04

Give commitments a clear through-line

Activities and recommendations should show sustained contribution, not a collection of disconnected credentials.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

Bridge to Clemson is invitation-only; participants study at Tri-County during year one before transferring after meeting program requirements.

Early ActionOct 15
Regular DecisionJan 1
Fee and waiver$70 application fee

Fee waiver: u.s. only

Major and program admission

Some fields have their own entry path.

The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.

ArchitectureAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

BusinessAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Communication and journalismAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Teacher preparationAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

EngineeringAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Health professionsAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

NursingAdmits separately

What this program asks for, and when it closes.

Can I afford it?

Compare annual cost by household income.

Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.

Published annual cost$38,198
Average annual cost after aid, in-state$22,000
Affordability profileSolid

College funding

Scholarships and financial aid

Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.

Clemson University publishes three merit awards. one require a separate scholarship application. two renew past the first year.

Automatic consideration Merit scholarship

Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews

Automatic consideration Merit scholarship

Open across the university · Merit · Competitive · Renews

Separate scholarship application Merit scholarship

Through the honors college · Merit · Competitive

In the season card

These three awards, by name

What each one is called, what it pays, the grades and scores it asks for, and what to send.

  • The name of each award 
  • What it pays 
  • The grades and scores it asks for 
  • How to be considered 
  • What to send, and where 
See the full read
Plan with your figuresOpen this college’s net price calculator
Open financial aid plan

In the season card

Average annual cost by household income at Clemson University

Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.

  • $0–30k 
  • $30–48k 
  • $48–75k 
  • $75–110k 
  • $110k+ 
Open the price by income

Is it worth it?

Completion, debt, and earnings

Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.

Complete within 8 years84.4%

Degree completion across the reported entering cohort

Return after year one93.2%

First-year students who return for year two

Median federal debtWhat students owe on the way out

And what that comes to against what they earn.

Median earnings$71,513

Reported 10 years after enrollment

Academic portfolio

Largest bachelor’s fields

How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.

Marketing

Recent graduates361
Median earnings$81,109

Admits separately

Psychology, General

Recent graduates358
Median earnings$55,126

Biology, General

Recent graduates299
Median earnings$65,577

What is campus life like?

Clemson University beyond the classroom

Bridge students live in Clemson-area university housing while taking first-year classes four miles away at Tri-County Technical College.

Academics

A defining academic feature

Creative Inquiry teams pursue faculty-mentored research or experiential projects, typically across multiple consecutive semesters and often across disciplines.

Housing

Read the residential pattern

Compare the residential setup and surrounding area with the day-to-day routine you want.

Dining

Daily life follows the campus map

Dining and nearby options matter most when they support the academic, residential, and social routine you expect.

Campus rhythm

What shapes an ordinary week

Bridge students live in Clemson-area university housing while taking first-year classes four miles away at Tri-County Technical College.

Clubs & interests

Turn a direction into participation

The strongest opportunities connect a clear academic or personal direction to real work beyond class.

Social life

Find the right everyday fit

Bridge students live in Clemson-area university housing while taking first-year classes four miles away at Tri-County Technical College.

23,300 undergraduatesSoutheastsuburban setting97% of first-year students live on campus