
About
Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina, was founded in 1889 through a donation of land and resources by Thomas Green Clemson upon his death. Mr. Clemson had desired to establish a scientific agricultural and mechanical arts institution in the model of whats is now Mississippi State University.
The donation by Mr. Clemson was almost denied by the state, passing by one vote, and founding what was then known as Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. Originally the school was an all white, male, military institution, becoming civilian and coeducational in 1955, and admitting its first African-American student, future Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, in 1963.
By 1964 the school had changed its name to Clemson University to better represent its expanded and redefined role as an educational institution in South Carolina. Today the school serves almost 20,000 students a year.
Academics
Clemson University offers a large number of programs through its five colleges, resulting in a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. Bachelor degree programs typically take four years to complete and may be accompanied by a minor degree. Minor degrees allow for additional education in a separate field, allowing students to pursue secondary interests or augment their major through a related field of study.
Graduate programs have separate requirements for admission, including excellent academic performance, the appropriate undergraduate or graduate degree, and high scores on a graduate level exam such as the GRE or LSAT. As mentioned above, the school offers programs through its five colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Science; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and Behavioral Sciences; Engineering and Science; and Health, Education and Human Development.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Admission to Clemson University is highly competitive. The school places a high emphasis on academic performance in high school, as well as standardized test scores. Other factors taken into consideration are extracurricular activities, class rank and a student's personal statement.
Once an application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the university and compared to the applications of others, with a final decision rendered as soon as possible, and notification sent to the student shortly thereafter. If admitted, the student will receive information regarding the start of their academic career at Clemson College, including housing, registration procedure and a variety of other topics.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards.
Prospective students may be asked to provide additional financial information prior to the disbursement of funds to ensure the information in the SAR is accurate. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each semester and within the deadlines set by the school.
Athletics
The Clemson University Tigers compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I through the Atlantic Coast Conference. Intercollegiate athletics provide students a forum for healthy competition and allows them to experience the camaraderie that comes with success and failure among a group working toward the same goal.
Additionally, such activities assist students in developing skills and habits that are beneficial in one's personal, academic and professional life. These include discipline, teamwork, and good health. Athletic programs have varying start dates throughout the year and interested students should contact the athletic department to obtain tryout dates and times. Students who are admitted into a program must be prepared to commit their free time to train and prepare.
Athletic programs at Clemson University:
- Baseball (Men Only)l
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Diving (Women Only)
- Football (Men Only)
- Golf
- Rowing (Women Only)
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball (Women Only)
Admission Requirements & Details
The information regarding admissions below may give an overview of the students Clemson University accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Clemson University has a total student population of about 23,000, with undergraduate students making up about 79% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $16,600. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $70 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- In-State Tuition: $13,000-$16,000
- Nonresident Student Tuition: $32,000-$38,330
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $600-$720 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $1,400-$1,700 per credit unit
- On-campus housing and meals are estimated to cost around $10,000
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 92% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 87% | $10,560 |
Receiving Student Loans | 43% | $7,919 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, Clemson University may provide services to students like those listed below:- Online course work available
- Career path counseling
- Student employment
- Assisting students to find work
Graduation Rates
With a very high graduation rate of around 83%, Clemson University is among the most successful schools in the area.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 59% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 20% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 3% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Art and Design Program
- Dietetics Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Clemson University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-A classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Atlantic Coast Conference)
- Basketball (Atlantic Coast Conference)
- Track and Field (Atlantic Coast Conference)
- Football (Atlantic Coast Conference)
- Golf
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Clemson University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Animal Science (B)
- Food Science (B, D)
- Aquaculture (B, M)
- Agricultural Business and Management (B)
- Food Science and Technology (M)
- Horticultural Science (B)
- Plant Sciences (D, M)
- Horticulture (B)
- Soil Sciences (B)
- Agricultural Economics (B, D, M)
Architecture
- Architecture (B, C, M)
- Landscape Architect (B, M)
- Urban Planning (M)
- Environmental Design, Architecture (D)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, D, M)
- Microbiology (B, D, M)
- Biochemistry (B, D, M)
- Animal Genetics (B, D)
- Entomology (D, M)
- Animal Physiology (D, M)
- Human Genetics (D)
- Epidemiology (C)
- Toxicology (D, M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, C, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B, C, M)
- Finance (B)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Human Resources (M)
- Construction Management (B, M)
- Real Estate (M)
- Organizational Leadership (C)
- Operations Management (D, M)
- Organizational and Nonprofit Management
Communications and Journalism
- Communication and Media Studies (M)
- Sports Communication (B)
- Communications (D)
- Health Communication
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (B, D, M)
- Information Science (B)
- Computer Programming (M)
- Informatics (D)
Education
- Guidance Counselor (C, M)
- Elementary Education (B)
- Middle School Teacher (M)
- Secondary Education (B, M)
- Special Education (B)
- Early Childhood Education (B)
- Agricultural Teacher Education (B, M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (C, D, M)
- Science Teacher (B)
- Education (M)
- Curriculum and Instruction (D)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (M)
- Trade and Industrial Teacher Education (D)
- Learning Sciences
Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Civil Engineering (B, D, M)
- Biomedical Engineering (B, C, D, M)
- Industrial Engineering (B, C, D, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Engineering (C, D, M)
- Chemical Engineering (B, D)
- Computer Engineering (B, D, M)
- Environmental and Environmental Health Engineering (B, D, M)
- Materials Engineering (B, D, M)
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Bioengineering (B, D, M)
- Ceramic Sciences and Engineering (B)
- Systems Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Packaging Science (B, M)
- Engineering-Related Fields (D)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Rhetoric and Composition (B)
- Technical and Business Writing (M)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Human Development, Family Studies (C, M)
- Family and Community Services (C, D)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (B)
- Foreign Languages and Literatures (B)
- Spanish Language and Literature (B)
- Sign Language Interpretation and Translation (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B)
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences (B, C)
- Nursing Science (M)
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies (B)
- PreMed Studies (B)
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Pre-Veterinary Studies
- International Public Health, International Health
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Historic Preservation and Conservation (C, M)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental and Wildlife Management (B)
- Forest Resources Management (B)
- Forest Sciences and Biology (D, M)
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (D)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
- Religious Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B, D, M)
- Geology (B)
- Physics (B, D, M)
- Geological and Earth Sciences, Geosciences (M)
- Optics, Optical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B, D)
- Community Psychology (M)
- Organizational Psychology (D)
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Administration (C, M)
- Public Policy (C, D)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Parks and Recreation Management (B, C, D, M)
- Parks and Recreation
- Sports Management
Social Sciences
- Economics (B, D, M)
- Political Science (B)
- Sociology (B)
- Anthropology (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Industrial Design (B, M)
- Art Studies (B, M)
- Film Studies
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Clemson University.
- Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC (45 miles away)
- Lander University in Greenwood, SC (50 miles away)
- University of South Carolina - Upstate in Spartanburg, SC (53 miles away)
- University of North Carolina at Asheville in Asheville, NC (66 miles away)
- Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, GA (83 miles away)
Also, check out our college lists below, which can help students compare schools to one another:
- Visit the main South Carolina colleges & universities profile page
- See all public colleges in South Carolina