Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Clemson University is a public national university located in Clemson, South Carolina. Clemson University is selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Clemson University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $63,857 10 years after enrolling, 3rd in South Carolina, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Clemson University bachelor students earn 5% more than the national average. Clemson University is ranked 2nd in South Carolina.
Clemson University’s median net annual cost of $21,262 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Clemson University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Psychology, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Marketing, Registered Nursing - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$21,262
Average years to graduate
4.5
Computer science
Rank: #71
Economic score: 1.31
Industrial Engineering
Rank: #43
Economic score: 1.82
Civil Engineering
Rank: #123
Economic score: 2.17
Accounting
Rank: #187
Economic score: 2.25
Finance
Rank: #126
Economic score: 2.44
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #99
Economic score: 3.34
Economics
Rank: #232
Economic score: 4.17
Education
Rank: #67
Economic score: 7.58
Parks & Recreation Mgmt.
Rank: #24
Economic score: 7.62
Animal Sciences.
Rank: #50
Economic score: 8.92
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Clemson University - Business Administration, Education, Biology, Engineering, Other, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Civil Engineering
Rank: #20
Economic score: 0.28
Student Counseling
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.29
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Rank: #7
Economic score: 0.29
Public Administration
Rank: #12
Economic score: 0.34
Registered Nursing
Rank: #147
Economic score: 0.39
HR Management
Rank: #43
Economic score: 0.46
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #95
Economic score: 0.59
Education
Rank: #78
Economic score: 0.62
Human Development & Family
Rank: #10
Economic score: 0.73
Parks & Recreation Mgmt.
Rank: #11
Economic score: 1.23
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.5 years. 83% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Clemson University is 30% higher than the state average, and 15% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Clemson University, Pell Grant recipients represent 15% of the measured graduating class, 20% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Clemson University graduates within 4.5 years.
Clemson University is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Clemson University’s economic mobility score of 12.69 is calculated by adjusting the 1.54 economic score of lower-income students by the 15% pell grant recipients within the student body. Clemson University’s EMS of 12.69 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Clemson University pays $21,262 a year, $11,618 less than the $32,880 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $21,262
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Clemson University, 81% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $21,262 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 43% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,843. This is 11% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,281
Pell grants
$4,664
State grants
$6,025
Institutional grants
$6,620
Clemson University offers 2 online bachelor programs, both of which are in hybrid format At the master’s level Clemson University offers 24 programs, 3 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
26
Hybrid programs
23
Percentage of programs online
16%
Clemson University's selective admissions are indicated by their 49% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 47,007 applicants, of which 23,138 were admitted and 4,593 enrolled. Clemson University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
99%
83%
Female
50%
59%
First time
70%
59%
In-state
56%
68%
1st generation
17%
35%
White
80%
52%
Black
6%
14%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
5%
12%