Clemson University Student Enrollment: A Comprehensive Analysis
Clemson University, a public land-grant research university situated on 1,400 acres in Upstate South Carolina, stands as a beacon of higher education. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with one edge of campus resting on the waters of Lake Hartwell and the other deep in the Experimental Forest, Clemson offers a unique setting for academic pursuits. This article delves into the university's student enrollment statistics, providing a detailed overview of its student body, admissions trends, and demographic composition.
A Legacy of Learning and Growth
Founded in 1889, Clemson University carries the vision of Thomas Green Clemson, who desired “a high seminary of learning” to develop “the material resources of the State” for the people of South Carolina. This mission continues to bind together researchers, teachers, and faculty members at Clemson. Clemson University fulfills its land-grant mission to be “a high seminary of learning” to develop “the main material resources of the State” for the people of South Carolina by attracting world-class researchers, building state-of-the-art facilities and providing scholarships for in-state students. The university has evolved into a global research institution, classified as an R1 University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, signifying very high research activity.
Overall Enrollment Trends
The student population at Clemson University is 28,747 (22,875 undergraduate and 5,872 graduate students). Over the past decade, the number of students has increased by 6,049. The percentage of undergraduate students at Clemson is 79.57%, which has increased by 4,859 over the last 10 years. The graduate student population increased by 1,190 and has been increasing.
The average student population over the last 10 years is 25,803, where 28,747 students are attending the school for the academic year 2023-2024. 79.57% of total students are undergraduate students, and 20.43% of students are graduate students. The number of undergraduate students has increased by 4,859, and the graduate enrollment has increased by 1,190 over the past 10 years.
Gender Distribution
The female-to-male ratio is 1.13 to 1, which means that female students enroll slightly more than male students. This indicates a slightly higher representation of female students within the university's overall population.
Read also: A Look at Clemson's Student Body
Undergraduate Enrollment Dynamics
The average number of undergraduate students over the last 10 years is 20,427, where 22,875 students are attending the Undergraduate school for the academic year 2023-2024.
Graduate Enrollment Trends
The average number of Graduate students over the last 10 years is 5,376, where 5,872 students are attending the Graduate school for the academic year 2023-2024. Clemson University connects graduate and postdoctoral students with industry partners, government officials and state-of-the-art facilities to conduct research that solves the world’s pressing problems and moves industry forward. Clemson graduate students are provided with exclusive academic resources, personalized mentorship and the opportunity to share their passion with undergraduate students.
Diversity and Ethnicity
Clemson University has seen changes in its student demographics over the years. The percentage of white students is 72.18%. The percentage was 77.66% 10 years ago, and Clemson still has a high percentage of white students. 2.53% of enrolled students are Asian, and 5.65% are black students.
Online Learning Enrollment
2,117 students are enrolled in online degree programs exclusively for the academic year 2023-2024, which is 7% of total students. The number of online students has increased 145.02% since 2015.
Admissions Competitiveness
Clemson University's annual applicant pool has grown to over 60,000 applicants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 29 countries worldwide. As a result, entrance has become highly competitive. Clemson News & World Report categorizes Clemson as 'more selective'. For the Class of 2028 (enrolled fall 2024), Clemson received 61,517 applications and accepted 23,586 (38.3%). Of those accepted, 4,880 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 20.7%.
Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame
The undergraduate acceptance rate of Clemson University was 38.1% (22,879 admissions from 60,122 applications) in 2023. This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 43%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 13.8%, while admissions grew by 0.771%.
Paths to Clemson
While admission to Clemson is competitive, the university provides multiple pathways for prospective students. Ninety-five percent of all South Carolina applicants for the Class of 2028 were offered a path to Clemson through Fall admission, Summer admission, or the Bridge to Clemson program. The Bridge Program is an innovative transfer program that allows accepted students to enroll in Tri-County Technical College for their first year and start their coursework at Clemson University during the following fall semester.
Holistic Admissions
Clemson seeks students who bring varied experiences, knowledge, and talents to the university. Recognizing that not everyone has the same opportunities, the admissions process considers the skills, experiences, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped applicants. Upload an optional personal statement with your application to let us know if there are specific circumstances that impacted your academic performance for a specific period of time or in a particular class.
Rankings and Recognition
In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Clemson University is ranked No. 75 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. 28 in Most Innovative Schools. This recognition reflects Clemson's commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
Student-Faculty Ratio and Academic Calendar
The student-faculty ratio at Clemson University is 16:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. This allows for a more personalized learning experience and close interaction between students and faculty.
Read also: A Look at Penn State's Enrollment Numbers
Graduation and Retention Rates
Clemson University boasts a four-year graduation rate of 68%. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Clemson University was 93%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Clemson University had a retention rate higher than its peers.
Financial Aid and Affordability
Thirty-four percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $22,433. Clemson University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Clemson University is $14,038, which is $16,966 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $24,408. 75% of undergraduate students at Clemson University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 33% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.
Experiential Education
Seventy-two percent of graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree completed participation in one experiential education opportunity (co-op, internship, student teaching, nursing practicum, etc.). This emphasis on practical experience enhances students' career prospects. Seventy-five percent of our co-ops receive a full-time offer from their employers each year. The Center for Career and Professional Development matches students’ talents and interests with internships, networking opportunities and real-world experiences - all designed to help them land that first job, pursue graduate programs and more. This includes career workshops, on-campus interviewing, experiential education opportunities (co-op program and internship programs) and others.
Post-Graduation Success
Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $58,311. Forty-four percent of recent graduates remain in South Carolina, contributing to the state's economy.
Campus Life and Traditions
Clemson University offers a vibrant campus life with more than 600 clubs and organizations and limitless undergraduate research opportunities available through the Creative Inquiry undergraduate research program. Clemson students enter degree programs that connect their personal goals with professional opportunities. The Clemson Family is how we describe our goal-oriented community drawn together by one common thread: the desire to use our gifts to build others up. Join the Clemson Family, and you join a tradition of tremendous spirit. The heartfelt pride Clemson students, faculty, staff and alumni share is magnified every time they return to campus.
Academic Colleges and Programs
Clemson University consists of nine colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art and Construction; Arts and Humanities; Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; Education; The Wilbur O. Clemson students enter degree programs that connect their personal goals with professional opportunities. Internationally recognized faculty members, top-tier students and abundant opportunities for meaningful research in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs confirm that Clemson University is the “high seminary of learning” its founder hoped for.
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
The College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) supports Clemson University's land-grant mission to provide education, research, and service to the public. The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences conducts game-changing research designed to enhance quality of life, improve health, sustain the environment and stimulate the economy.
College of Architecture, Art and Construction
The College of Architecture, Art and Construction (CAAC) contains a School of Architecture, a Department of Art and the Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning. Departments within the school include Construction Science and Management and Landscape Architecture. The College of Architecture, Art and Construction prepares students to transform, enhance and sustain the physical world. The college fosters theoretical understanding of design combined with practical knowledge, technical skills and a global mindset. Our faculty engage students with hands-on, experiential learning techniques to position them for academic and professional advancement. Supported by the cutting-edge built environment of Lee Hall, the outdoor Experiential Learning Yard and the globe-spanning Fluid Campus®, students learn how to translate their education into lifelong success.
College of Arts and Humanities
The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) was founded in 2023 and has six departments: English, History and Geography, Interdisciplinary Studies, Languages, Performing Arts and Philosophy and Religion. Interdisciplinary Studies includes the Global Black Studies, Women’s Leadership and World Cinema programs. The Brooks Center serves as a performing arts venue for the college. The College of Arts and Humanities is centered on exploring and understanding the human condition. It encourages students to engage with culture, history, literature, performance and the intersections of differing fields of study. Students learn the skills to make a living while also being confronted with the question of how to make a life. Through expert pedagogy in supportive environments, students are trained to think deeply, write effectively, express their thoughts with confidence and interact respectfully with others.
Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
The Wilbur O. The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business transforms students into leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators who are prepared to flourish within the global marketplace of ideas. Through immersive education, research and outreach programs that are globally competitive and committed to economic and social advancements, students become empowered, market-ready leaders poised to shape the future.
College of Education
The College of Education is committed to improving education, beginning at birth. With a focus on serving underperforming schools and underserved communities, the College has award-winning programs that train teachers, counselors and school leaders for P-12 schools; prepare counselors for community practice; train higher education student affairs leaders; and prepare training and development specialists for business and industry. The College of Education is Clemson's newest college and is centered in the Tillman Hall. The college has some 600 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students, and the mission is to embrace the diverse faculty, staff, and students and provide them with a diverse set of experiences.
College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS) specializes in engineering as well as the physical sciences such as physics and chemistry. Inspired by Thomas Green Clemson's dream to create a "high seminary of learning to benefit the agricultural and mechanical arts," engineering and sciences have been an integral part of the university's development. The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences educates, creates and disseminates new knowledge and engages students in critical thinking - thereby inspiring the innovations of tomorrow, leading to transformative economic development and broadening Clemson’s impact as a land-grant university.
College of Science
The College of Science pursues excellence in scientific discovery, learning and engagement that is both locally relevant and globally impactful. The life, physical and mathematical sciences converge to tackle some of tomorrow’s scientific challenges, and our faculty are preparing the next generation of leading scientists.
The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine
The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine will be the first college of veterinary medicine in South Carolina. Recent studies show that qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges nationwide, yet there is not enough space to accommodate students’ desire to become veterinarians. Additionally, there is a shortage of veterinarians in our state, particularly in rural areas. Clemson University is located in Upstate South Carolina and South Carolina faces a critical shortage of veterinarians. Steven L. Founding Dean of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr.
Clemson University Honors College
The Clemson University Honors College focuses on education for highly motivated, academically talented students. Entrance to college is very competitive, with only 250 incoming freshmen accepted each year with an average SAT score of 1400 or higher and finishing in the top 3% of their high school graduating class. More than 2,000 of Clemson’s most academically competitive students belong to our Clemson University Honors College. Specialized courses, smaller classes taught by top faculty and a diverse range of innovative learning experiences both on and off campus challenge honors students to push boundaries.
Research and Innovation
Clemson University is committed to research and innovation, with five Innovation Campuses located across South Carolina. These campuses foster economic development and provide coordinated teaching, research and community engagement programs that are aligned with key strategic industry clusters for the state. Since 2015, Clemson has received 121 major research awards of at least $2 million. The total value of these projects is $700 million.
Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR)
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) was established in 2013 in Greenville as a seminary for automotive research and innovation. CU-ICAR is a 250-acre (101 ha) automotive and motorsports research campus. The department of Automotive Engineering was ranked tenth in the world in 2015. CU-ICAR includes a graduate school offering master's and doctoral degrees in automotive engineering, and programs focused on systems integration. The campus also includes an Information Technology Research Center being developed by BMW. BMW, Microsoft, IBM, Bosch, Timken, JTEKT/Koyo and Michelin are all major corporate partners of CU-ICAR.
Charleston Innovation Campus
The Charleston Innovation Campus in North Charleston was founded in 2004 as the Restoration Institute. It houses the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, Dominion Energy Innovation Center, and the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center.
A Welcoming and Accessible Campus
Aligned with Clemson University’s commitment to diversity, SAS envisions a welcoming campus that is readily usable and accessible by students with varied characteristics, strengths and challenges. The FIRST Program helps ensure success for students who are the first in their families to attend college by offering a variety of opportunities and resources, from academic support to social activities.
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