Clemson University
Clemson University is a public land-grant research university in the foothills of upstate South Carolina, set on the shore of Lake Hartwell and known for its engineering programs and its football tradition at Memorial Stadium, the venue students call Death Valley. Admission runs moderately selective: about 42% of roughly 64,800 applicants are admitted, and in-state students get in at a much higher rate than out-of-state applicants, since state residency is weighed as a very important factor. Enrolled first-years post middle-50% SAT scores of 1250–1400, and 94% return for a second year. Business and engineering lead the degrees Clemson confers, and its in-state tuition keeps the cost well below the out-of-state price.
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Clemson admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
Clemson offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Clemson is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Clemson's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 61.35% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Clemson does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Clemson weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Clemson's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $25,312 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Clemson admissions
How hard is it to get into Clemson?＋
Clemson is moderately selective, admitting about 42.4% of applicants in the most recent cycle from a pool of roughly 64,800. Selectivity depends heavily on residency: South Carolina residents are admitted at a much higher rate than out-of-state applicants, and Clemson weighs state residency as a very important factor alongside grades and course rigor.
What is Clemson's out-of-state acceptance rate?＋
Out-of-state applicants face longer odds than South Carolina residents. For Fall 2025, Clemson admitted about 52.9% of in-state applicants (5,661 of 10,697) but only 40.4% of out-of-state applicants (21,277 of 52,651). State residency is listed as a very important factor, so applying from outside South Carolina makes admission meaningfully more competitive.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for Clemson?＋
A 1300 is competitive at Clemson. It lands in the middle 50% of enrolled first-years, who scored 1250–1400 on the SAT (28–32 ACT), just below the median of 1330. Clemson stayed test-optional for its most recent class, so a 1300 strengthens an out-of-state file but isn't required to apply.
What GPA and class rank do you need for Clemson?＋
Clemson does not publish an average high school GPA, but it weighs academic GPA, class rank, and course rigor as very important factors. Among the 61% of enrolled first-years who reported a rank, about 55% sat in the top tenth of their graduating class and 92% in the top quarter, so competitive applicants carry strong grades in a demanding schedule.
Is Clemson test-optional?＋
Yes. Clemson was test-optional for its most recent class, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1250–1400 on the SAT and 28–32 on the ACT. If you submit, scores are weighed as an important factor, and a strong score can help an out-of-state application.
How much does Clemson cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $15,554 for South Carolina residents and $40,866 for out-of-state students. Roughly 32% of full-time first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $15,875, and Clemson meets about 49% of demonstrated financial need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Clemson?＋
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 25% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at roughly 16%. The sciences, social sciences, and health professions round out the top areas, reflecting Clemson's land-grant strengths in engineering, business, and the natural sciences.
Does the application essay matter at Clemson?＋
Clemson lists the application essay as considered in its admissions review, so while it can add helpful context, the decision leans most heavily on grades, class rank, course rigor, and state residency. A thoughtful essay won't outweigh your academic record, but it is now a genuine part of the file rather than something Clemson sets aside.
Source: Clemson University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Clemson. Banner photo by Chris Pruitt (Spyder Monkey), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).