10-yr median earnings
$71,513
Federal aid recipients only
Public · Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson University
Clemson University is a public institution in Clemson, South Carolina. as a public institution, published Scorecard outcomes are the federal Title-IV cohort view of former students — not every graduate and not a guarantee for any one enrollee.
- $22,253
- Avg net price / yr
- $71,513
- 10-yr median earnings
- 87.2%
- 150%-time completion
- 38.3%
- Acceptance rate
The verdict
Clemson University pairs top-10% former-student earnings with a selective admit.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
- Top 7%
- former-student earnings, US
- 38.3%
- acceptance rate
- 87.2%
- 150%-time completion
- +23%
- earnings, 6→10 yrs
Suburb: Midsize
Carnegie: R1
Institution data retrieved July 2026; field-of-study data retrieved March 2026.
How to read this Clemson University profile
Figures above come from IPEDS institution records published through the College Scorecard (retrieved July 2026 for institution fields; March 2026 for field-of-study). Peer groups and cost cohorts follow IPEDS ownership sector, Carnegie class ("Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity"), and locale, not an editorial shortlist.
Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients. It is a defined cohort average, not a personalized price; income-band fields add context but do not replace the school's current net-price calculator.
Earnings use Treasury-linked records for federally aided former students who were working and not enrolled in the measurement year (completers and noncompleters). IPEDS completion and retention use separate first-time, full-time cohorts, so those denominators are not the earnings cohort. Read cost, completion, and earnings as distinct historical measures, not a causal verdict or individual forecast.
College Value Score
B
College Value Score
70/100
Clemson University
A 6-metric composite of earnings, cost, and completion outcomes benchmarked against every reporting US college, not a ranking of teaching quality, campus life, or fit for any individual student. See the full methodology.
Earnings A+
$71,513
10-year median former-student earnings
Net Price F
$22,253
Average annual cost after grants and aid
Completion Rate A+
87.2%
Completion within 150% of normal time
Debt F
$21,500
Median federal debt at graduation
Loan Repayment A+
83.9%
Borrowers repaying loans within 3 years
Retention A
93.5%
First-year students returning for year two
Each axis is the percentile score shown in the breakdown at left; the shape shows this school's overall profile at a glance.
Avg net price
$22,253
After grants and scholarships
150%-time completion
87.2%
Full-time, first-time cohort
150%-time completion vs portal median (57.1%) 87.2%
Four-year-institution cohort
College ROI Quadrant - Clemson University vs peers
Each dot is a college plotted by 10-year median earnings (x-axis) vs average net price (y-axis), colored by completion within 150% of normal time. Bottom-right = high earnings/lower price; top-left = lower earnings/higher price.
How Clemson University ranks nationally
Where this school's former-student earnings fall within the full national distribution of every US college that reports to the College Scorecard, not just its peer set.
Clemson University: former-student earnings vs. every US college
10-year median earnings, College Scorecard
$71,513 Top 7% higher than 93% of 5,103 US colleges
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US colleges. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals
| Metric | Clemson University | National rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $71,513 | #349 of 5103 | 93rd |
| Average net price | $22,253 | #3503 of 5020 | 30th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 87.2% | #339 of 4858 | 93rd |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 23,300 | #99 of 5462 | 98th |
National ranks count every operating US college reporting each metric to the College Scorecard, separate from the earnings histogram above.
Quick Facts
23,300
Undergraduate enrollment
38.3%
Acceptance rate
1,353
SAT average
87.2%
150%-time completion
$71,513
10-yr median earnings
93.5%
First-year retention
How Clemson University ranks in South Carolina
State rank among 78 reporting South Carolina colleges with College Scorecard data, a separate lens from the national distribution above.
| Metric | Clemson University | State rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yr median earnings | $71,513 | #3 of 78 | 96th |
| Average net price | $22,253 | #69 of 82 | 16th (lower is better) |
| 150%-time completion | 87.2% | #2 of 77 | 97th |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 23,300 | #2 of 83 | 98th |
Highest former-student earnings in South Carolina
| # | School | 10-yr earnings | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical University of South Carolina | $88,420 | - |
| 2 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $72,085 | $20,723 |
| 3 | Clemson UniversityThis school | $71,513 | $22,253 |
| 4 | Wofford College | $68,964 | $18,732 |
| 5 | Furman University | $68,635 | $30,308 |
| 6 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | $62,177 | $22,811 |
| 7 | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach | $61,480 | $25,662 |
| 8 | Presbyterian College | $60,194 | $20,528 |
| 9 | College of Charleston | $56,416 | $18,960 |
| 10 | Erskine College | $53,459 | $16,525 |
| 11 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | $48,587 | $13,557 |
| 12 | University of South Carolina Beaufort | $48,088 | $14,656 |
Admissions
| Admission Rate | 38.3% |
| SAT Average | 1,353 |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 620 – 710 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 620 – 700 |
| ACT Average | 30 |
| ACT (25th-75th) | 28 – 32 |
Costs & Financial Aid
Net price by family income at Clemson University
Average annual net price after grants; Title IV recipient cohort by income bracket
- $0 – $30k
$0 – $30k
$13,607 net price / yr
- $30k – $48k
$30k – $48k
$14,109 net price / yr
- $48k – $75k
$48k – $75k
$18,851 net price / yr
- $110k+
$110k+
$27,922 net price / yr
What this shows Need-based aid pulls net price down at lower brackets at Clemson University - compare the bar for your income band, not the overall average alone.
Tuition & Net Price
| In-State Tuition | $15,554 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,866 |
| Average Net Price | $22,253 |
14.8%
Pell Grant Rate
31.2%
Federal Loan Rate
$21,500
Median Debt
$228/mo
Monthly Payment
What students pay at Clemson University rose +78.7% since 2013
Average net price for the reported Title IV-recipient cohort went from $12,377 in 2013 to $22,112 in 2023, a rise of $9,735 in nominal dollars. Across the 4,315 colleges measured over the same 2013–2023 span, the median change was +14.6%.
11 reported years. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
2013 · $12,3772023 · $22,112
Over the same years, enrollment went +35.6% (16,801 → 22,778 students).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, per-year fields (2013–2023). Net price is the average cost after grant and scholarship aid for federally-aided undergraduates.
Student Demographics
Race & ethnicity
Student body at a glance
50.4%
Female
17.2%
First Generation
Outcomes
93.5%
Retention Rate
$58,311
Median Earnings (6yr)
77.9%
Earning Over $25K
83.9%
Loan Repayment, Completers (3yr)
Outcomes & debt snapshot
| Measure | Cohort / horizon | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Completion within 150% of normal time | First-time, full-time | 87.2% |
| First-year retention | First-time, full-time freshmen | 93.5% |
| Median earnings | 6 years after entry | $58,311 |
| Median earnings | 10 years after entry | $71,513 |
| Share earning over $25,000 | Working, not enrolled | 77.9% |
| Loan repayment rate | Completers, 3 years after leaving | 83.9% |
| Median federal student debt | At completion | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly payment | Standard 10-year plan | $228/mo |
Programs & Earnings
Field-of-study summary by credential
| Credential | Programs | Award count | Avg earnings | Top earnings | Avg debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 56 | 4,960 | $70,962 | $105,646 | $21,919 |
| Master's | 28 | 1,356 | $84,766 | $136,058 | $26,932 |
| Level 99 | 2 | 0 | $95,279 | $96,856 | - |
| Doctoral | 2 | 9 | $66,529 | $75,417 | $32,231 |
Top programs at Clemson University by completer earnings
Median earnings of program completers, College Scorecard field-of-study file
- Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering
$136,058 median earnings
- Real Estate
Real Estate
$119,115 median earnings
- Engineering, Other
Engineering, Other
$114,455 median earnings
- Business Administration, M…
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$114,399 median earnings
- Registered Nursing, Nursin…
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$109,470 median earnings
- Information Science/Studies
Information Science/Studies
$105,646 median earnings
- Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering
$102,762 median earnings
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
$102,636 median earnings
What this shows The highest-earning programs at a school are not necessarily its most popular ones - a small specialized program can post strong median earnings without reflecting the outcome most students here actually see.
| Program | Credential | Completers | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering | Master's | 38 | $136,058 | - |
| Real Estate | Master's | 15 | $119,115 | - |
| Engineering, Other | Master's | 80 | $114,455 | - |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's | 228 | $114,399 | $39,712 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Master's | 28 | $109,470 | $35,034 |
| Information Science/Studies | Bachelor's | 28 | $105,646 | $25,225 |
| Computer Engineering | Bachelor's | 48 | $102,762 | $26,179 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Master's | 49 | $102,636 | - |
| Accounting and Related Services | Master's | 87 | $102,502 | $20,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 177 | $101,301 | $21,611 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | Master's | 45 | $100,816 | $18,862 |
| Construction Management | Bachelor's | 0 | $98,726 | $19,962 |
| Marketing | Level 99 | - | $96,856 | - |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | Bachelor's | 72 | $96,446 | $24,250 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | Bachelor's | 55 | $94,449 | $22,622 |
Explore Data-Matched Colleges
Matches use Scorecard measures among reporting colleges — not state-system recommendations or geographic proximity.
Similar Enrollment and Sector
Other Public institutions closest in reported enrollment, preferring the same Carnegie classification.
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
23,113 students · 187 apart
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA
23,671 students · 371 apart
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK
22,734 students · 566 apart
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO
23,929 students · 629 apart
Similar Reported Net Price
Other Public institutions with the nearest reported average net price.
Southern Missouri Technical Institute
West Plains, MO
$22,260 net price · $7 apart
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Altoona, PA
$22,213 net price · $40 apart
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
$22,182 net price · $71 apart
State University of New York at Cortland
Cortland, NY
$22,345 net price · $92 apart
Similar 2013–2023 Net-Price Trend
Same-sector institutions with the same direction and nearest fitted annual change; only series with R² of at least 0.40 qualify.
East Valley Institute of Technology
Mesa, AZ
+$930/year · $8/year apart
Grand River Technical School
Chillicothe, MO
+$929/year · $9/year apart
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools
Groveport, OH
+$947/year · $10/year apart
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
Olney, IL
+$927/year · $10/year apart
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Clemson University? ▼
Clemson University is a public institution in Clemson, South Carolina. The acceptance rate is 38.3%. The average SAT score is 1,353. Undergraduate enrollment is 23,300 students.
How much do Clemson University former students earn? ▼
Federally aided former students at Clemson University who were working and not enrolled had median earnings of $71,513 ten years after entry; the cohort is not limited to graduates. Six years after entry, the corresponding median is $58,311.
How much does Clemson University cost? ▼
The average net price at Clemson University is $22,253. In-state tuition is $15,554 and out-of-state tuition is $40,866. Median student debt at graduation is $21,500.
What is the graduation rate at Clemson University? ▼
Clemson University has a 87.2% completion rate within 150% of normal time at a four-year institution (typically six years for a bachelor’s program). The first-year retention rate is 93.5%.
Is Clemson University worth the student debt? ▼
The median student debt at Clemson University is $21,500, while former students earn a median of $71,513 ten years after enrollment. That debt represents about 30% of those annual earnings. Among borrowers who completed their program, 83.9% are repaying their loans within 3 years. Estimated monthly loan payment is $228.
Sources & methodology
Public-college profiles lean on IPEDS enrollment and Scorecard Title-IV outcomes. State appropriations are outside this page; the figures below are the federal cohort measures only.
Every number is read live from the Mar–Jul 2026 Scorecard/IPEDS retrievals. Public institutions often enroll large Title-IV cohorts, so medians can be stable — still cohort averages, never a personal forecast. Read the full methodology for how the data is sourced, computed, and verified.
- College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education - former-student earnings, cost & completion (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics - enrollment, admissions, Carnegie class & demographics (nces.ed.gov/ipeds).
- U.S. Treasury / IRS earnings linkage - median earnings 6 & 10 years after enrollment for federal-aid recipients (irs.gov).
- College Scorecard, Field of Study - program-level (credential) earnings & debt (collegescorecard.ed.gov).
- Federal Student Aid (Title IV / NSLDS) - U.S. Department of Education - net price, student debt & aid-recipient repayment outcomes (studentaid.gov).
Where to go next from Clemson University
- Compare Clemson University against schools with similar outcomes at a lower average net price.Find similar schools that cost less
- Browse every reporting college in South Carolina side by side.Browse South Carolina
- See how fields of study differ on former-student earnings and debt.Explore programs
Public-college Scorecard figures are historical Title-IV cohort averages — confirm current tuition, aid, and admissions rules with the institution before deciding.
Every figure on PlainCollege is rendered directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard data, no number is typed in by an editor. Public-institution profiles compile Scorecard Title-IV earnings, IPEDS enrollment/admissions, and Treasury linkage fields — no editor-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Review the public data changelog. Data current as of Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals.