College Profiles/ Clemson University
College Profile · Fall 2027 Entry
Clemson University Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Cost, Financial Aid and Deadlines
Clemson, SC · 24,060 undergraduates. Everything families need to apply to Clemson University for fall 2027, verified against the school’s own Common Data Set, cost of attendance and admissions pages, with ConnectPrep’s strategic read.
By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep
Updated October 11, 2026 · Data verified against official sources
✓ Every figure cited
Quick answer
Clemson University admitted 42.4% of 64,805 first-year applicants.[1] The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1250 to 1400.[1] The 2026-27 cost of attendance is $38,198 for in-state students and $66,180 out of state.[2] For fall 2027 entry, deadlines are Early Action Oct 15, Regular Decision Jan 1.[3]
42.4%
Overall admit rate[1]
1250 to 1400
Middle 50% SAT[1]
$66,180
Out-of-state cost, 2026-27[2]
87.5%
Six-year graduation rate[5]
Clemson University at a Glance
- Location
- Clemson, SC
- Type
- Public
- Student to faculty ratio
- 16:1[5]
- Endowment
- $1.1 billion (federal data)[4]
- SAT/ACT, fall 2027
- Optional[3]
- Application
- Common App, Coalition (Scoir), Clemson Application[3]
- First-year retention
- 94.1%[5]
The ConnectPrep Take on Clemson University
The ConnectPrep take
Clemson says no preference is given to any application and directs students to its Recommended Applicant Qualifications. In practice the class is academically strong: 55% of enrolled students ranked in the top 10% of their class, and the admit rate is 42.4% on 64,805 applicants. Early Action arrives early, on Oct 15, with decisions in mid-December, versus Jan 1 for Regular Decision. Admitted students may also be offered spring, summer, or Bridge to Clemson starts, so a family should understand those options before decisions arrive. Testing is optional and superscored, and applicants choose by Jan 10 whether scores count for scholarships. With a middle 50% SAT of 1250 to 1400, we advise 1325 or higher and a goal of 1400. The biggest miss is the Honors College priority deadline, Oct 22, which is required for the National Scholars Program.
What to do this fall
- Apply Early Action by Oct 15, then the Honors College priority application by Oct 22 with materials by Nov 1.
- Use superscoring to your advantage: a retake that lifts one section moves your student toward 1400.
- Decide by Jan 10 whether scores should count for scholarships, and file the FAFSA by Jan 1.
- Talk through Summer Start, Global Start and Bridge to Clemson in advance so an alternate offer is not a surprise.
Applying to Clemson University? Get a free strategy session. We map your student’s round, testing plan, essays and every scholarship deadline for this school.
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Clemson University Admissions Statistics
| Applicant pool |
Applied |
Admitted |
Admit rate |
| All first-year applicants[1] |
64,805 |
27,498 |
42.4% |
- Yield, the share of admitted students who enrolled, was 18.5%.[1]
Testing and academic profile
| Academic profile of admitted students |
Middle 50% or share |
| SAT composite[1] |
1250 to 1400 |
| ACT composite[1] |
28 to 32 |
| Ranked in top 10% of high school class[5] |
55% |
ConnectPrep score target
Aim for 1400 on the SAT, the 75th percentile here, or 32 on the ACT. When testing is optional, we generally advise submitting scores at or above about 1320, the middle of the range. A higher score is always better, and the test can be retaken. Not there yet? Take a free practice test and we will build the plan to close the gap.
What Clemson University looks for
In its own words: Clemson says no preference is given to any application in the admission review process, and it points applicants to its Recommended Applicant Qualifications for the experiences and accomplishments it looks for. Scholarship consideration requires applying by January 1, and need-based scholarship applicants must also file the FAFSA by January 1.[3]
Clemson University Application Deadlines 2026-2027
| Round |
Deadline |
Decision |
| Early Action |
Oct 15 |
mid-Dec |
| Regular Decision |
Jan 1 |
mid-Feb |
Insider deadlines families miss
These scholarship, honors, program, interview and aid deadlines come from Clemson University’s own pages. Anything tagged Before RD is due before the Regular Decision deadline.
| Program or rule |
Deadline |
What to know |
Honors College priority application
Before RD |
Oct 22 (materials Nov 1) |
Separate Honors application in the admissions portal; priority deadline Oct 22 with materials by Nov 1. General Honors deadline Jan 8 (materials Jan 15).[7] |
National Scholars Program
Before RD |
Oct 15 (EA) and Oct 22 (Honors priority) |
Must meet the Oct 15 Early Action deadline and all Honors Priority deadlines; no exceptions. Finalists must attend Scholarship Recruitment Weekend Feb 19 to 20.[8] |
| General scholarship consideration |
Jan 1 (file complete Jan 10) |
Apply by Jan 1 and complete the file by Jan 10; FAFSA by Jan 1 for need-based scholarships.[3] |
See how Clemson University compares with other colleges in the South deadlines database or the full 2026-2027 college application deadlines hub.
Clemson University Cost and Financial Aid
| Cost and aid |
Figure |
| Cost of attendance, in-state (2026-2027)[2] |
$38,198 |
| Cost of attendance, out-of-state (2026-2027)[2] |
$66,180 |
Non-South Carolina resident undergraduate, on or off campus; plus $1,832 in fees. Total excludes major enrichment fees of up to $2,500; first-year students add a $2,524 laptop allowance. South Carolina residents: $38,198 total with $14,038 tuition.[2]
What families actually pay: net price by income
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the average grants and scholarships for first-year in-state students receiving aid, by family income. It comes from federal data, which runs a year or two behind the school’s current cost figures.[4]
| Family income |
Average net price per year |
| $0 to $30,000 |
$13,607 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 |
$14,109 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 |
$18,851 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 |
$24,833 |
| Over $110,000 |
$27,922 |
| All aided students |
$22,253 |
Academics and Majors at Clemson University
Most popular fields by share of bachelor’s degrees awarded[5]
- Business/marketing25%
- Engineering16%
- Social Sciences9%
- Biological/Life Sciences8%
- Health Professions and related programs6%
Signature programs
Clemson University Honors College
An honors college of more than 2,000 of Clemson's most academically competitive students.[9]
Creative Inquiry
Clemson's undergraduate research program, in which more than 72,000 undergraduates have taken part since it began in 2005.[9]
Bridge to Clemson
A program that lets accepted students spend their first year at Tri-County Technical College before beginning Clemson coursework the following fall.[9]
PEER and WISE
One of the summer-term entry options for admitted first-year students, alongside Summer Start and Global Start.[3]
Cooperative Education
Co-op and internship programs run through the Center for Career and Professional Development.[9]
Choosing a major and getting in
Clemson admits some students for spring (January) enrollment or through summer options such as Summer Start, Global Start and PEER and WISE, and offers Bridge to Clemson, which begins with a first year at Tri-County Technical College. Admitted students who need to change their major do so through the Clemson admissions portal.[3]
Special admission paths
- Early Action (apply by October 15, decisions mid-December).[3]
- Bridge to Clemson (first year at Tri-County Technical College).[3]
- Spring (January) admission.[3]
- Summer Start.[3]
- Global Start.[3]
- PEER and WISE summer programs in engineering.[3]
- Clemson University Honors College.[3]
Clemson University Retention and Graduation Rates
| Outcome |
Figure |
| First-year students who returned for sophomore year[5] |
94.1% |
| Graduated within six years[5] |
87.5% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting college[4] |
$71,513 |
| Median federal loan debt of graduates[4] |
$21,500 |
| Undergraduates receiving Pell Grants[4] |
15% |
Make Clemson University a realistic goal
ConnectPrep builds the full plan: the right round, a score target and test schedule, essays that sound like your student, and every scholarship and program deadline on one calendar. Start with a free consultation or a free practice test.
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Clemson University FAQs
What is the Clemson University acceptance rate?
Clemson University admitted 42.4% of first-year applicants (27,498 of 64,805).
When are the Clemson University application deadlines for 2026-27?
For students entering in fall 2027: Early Action Oct 15; Regular Decision Jan 1. 2 scholarship, honors or program deadlines come before Regular Decision; see the insider deadlines table on this page.
How much does Clemson University cost?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $38,198 for in-state students and $66,180 for out-of-state students.
What SAT score do you need for Clemson University?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1250 to 1400 on the SAT and 28 to 32 on the ACT. ConnectPrep advises aiming for 1400, the 75th percentile. Testing policy for fall 2027 entry: Optional.
Is Clemson test optional?
Yes. Clemson does not require a test score, superscores both the SAT and ACT, and lets applicants choose by Jan 10 whether their scores are considered for scholarships. The middle 50% SAT is 1250 to 1400 and the ACT is 28 to 32. We advise submitting an SAT at or above the 1325 midpoint.
What is Bridge to Clemson?
Bridge to Clemson lets accepted students spend their first year at Tri-County Technical College before beginning Clemson coursework the following fall. Clemson also admits some students for spring enrollment or through summer options such as Summer Start, Global Start and PEER and WISE. Families should decide in advance how they would weigh one of these offers.
About the author
Jeremy Fine
Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.
ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.
This profile is an independent ConnectPrep resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Clemson University. Figures come from the sources listed above as published when checked in October 2026; the Common Data Set year is noted where used. Policies and costs change, so confirm with the school before applying.
