Clemson, SC
Clemson University was founded in 1889 under a land-grant mission and holds a Carnegie R1 research classification. It is organized into colleges such as the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, and the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine. Clemson's Creative Inquiry program engages roughly 4,500 undergraduates annually in faculty-mentored research and creative projects.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from Clemson University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 38% submitted SAT scores, 19% submitted ACT scores.
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Oct 15, 2026 (passed)
- Regular Decision: Jan 1, 2027
Confirm on Clemson University's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $26,982 more per year in tuition and fees (2.7x the in-state rate).
Includes average lab fees; some majors add an enrichment fee of up to $2,500. The in-state rate has been frozen for seven straight years.
Tuition & fees are Clemson University's own published 2026-27 rates (source); other figures are from the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Where do you stand against Clemson University's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Clemson University weighs your application
From Clemson University's own Common Data Set, 2025-26, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Clemson University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Clemson University look for in applicants?
Per Clemson University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, state residency as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Clemson University's acceptance rate?
Clemson University in Clemson, SC admits approximately 38% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Clemson University?
Per Clemson University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1250–1400 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for Clemson University?
Per Clemson University's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 28–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does Clemson University cost?
Clemson University's total cost of attendance is reported at $35,015 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
What is out-of-state tuition at Clemson University?
For 2026-27, Clemson University's tuition and required fees are $42,852 for out-of-state students and $15,870 for in-state students -- $26,982 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for Clemson University?
Clemson University's deadlines are Early Action Oct 15, 2026; Regular Decision Jan 1, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Clemson University require students to live on campus?
No -- Clemson University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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