Clemson vs. UofSC

Clemson University and University of South Carolina Columbia side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clemson University
University of South Carolina Columbia

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clemson (38.3% admitted vs 60.2%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $25,003 at Clemson vs $24,488 at UofSC. Clemson in-state tuition is about $2,866 more per year.
  • Graduation: Clemson 80% vs UofSC 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Clemson $57,100 vs UofSC $51,700 (median).
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Key differences

Clemson University University of South Carolina Columbia
Acceptance rate
Clemson more selective
Clemson38.3%
UofSC60.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clemson higher
Clemson1240-1410
UofSC1180-1360
Average net price
About even
Clemson$25,003
UofSC$24,488
In-state tuition
UofSC $2,866 less
Clemson$15,554
UofSC$12,688
Out-of-state tuition
UofSC $4,894 less
Clemson$40,866
UofSC$35,972
Graduation rate
Clemson +10 pts
Clemson80%
UofSC70%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clemson +$5,400
Clemson$57,100
UofSC$51,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Clemson 61,517
  • UofSC 52,703
  • Admitted
  • Clemson 23,586
  • UofSC 31,701
  • Acceptance rate
  • Clemson 38.3%
  • UofSC 60.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Clemson 20.7%
  • UofSC 22.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clemson 1330
  • UofSC 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clemson 30
  • UofSC 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Clemson 3.75
  • UofSC 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • Clemson A-
  • UofSC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Clemson Very High
  • UofSC Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Clemson High
  • UofSC Low
  • SAT range
  • Clemson 1240-1410
  • UofSC 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • Clemson 28-32
  • UofSC 26-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Clemson Test optional
  • UofSC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Clemson May 1, 2027
  • UofSC Dec 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Clemson $15,554
  • UofSC $12,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Clemson $40,866
  • UofSC $35,972
  • Room & board
  • Clemson $13,284
  • UofSC $13,534
  • Average net price
  • Clemson $25,003
  • UofSC $24,488
  • Average grant aid
  • Clemson $11,389
  • UofSC $7,139
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Clemson 75%
  • UofSC 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Clemson 80%
  • UofSC 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Clemson $57,100
  • UofSC $51,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Clemson 78%
  • UofSC 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Clemson $21,500
  • UofSC $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Clemson $222
  • UofSC $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Clemson 16:1
  • UofSC 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Clemson
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • UofSC
    • Business (35%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Clemson Clemson, SC
  • UofSC Columbia, SC
  • Setting
  • Clemson Distant Town
  • UofSC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clemson 29,077
  • UofSC 38,532
  • Type
  • Clemson Public 4 Year
  • UofSC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Clemson #132
  • UofSC #220

Comparable Facts

Compare Clemson University in Clemson, SC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 29,077 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clemson University is located in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
  • Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clemson University 16:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 1.8% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,284 vs. $13,534).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Clemson than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $4,894 more per year; $40,866 vs. $35,972).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Clemson University (91% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 59.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($11,389 vs. $7,139).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Clemson than at UofSC (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clemson and UofSC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clemson average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at UofSC (3.69).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Clemson vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($222 vs. $240).
  • More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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