Clemson University acceptance rate

Clemson University admitted 42.4% of first-year applicants for fall 2025. Of 64,805 students who applied, 27,497 got in.

Of every 100 applicants, about 42 were admitted.

64,805applied
27,497admitted
5,085enrolled
18%of admitted students enrolled (yield)

Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Clemson University, Common Data Set 2025–26, section C1. Checked October 30, 2026.

How this compares with the federal figure

The Department of Education's College Scorecard still shows fall 2024, the latest year federal data covers. The college's own report is a year newer.

Entering class	Acceptance rate	Source
Fall 2025	42.4%	Common Data Set 2025–26
Fall 2024	38.3%	College Scorecard (IPEDS 2024–25)

Admission got easier, by 4.1 percentage points.

Acceptance rate by residency

Clemson University reports applicants and admits separately for South Carolina residents, out-of-state students and international students.

South Carolina residents		52.9%
Out-of-state		40.4%
International		38.4%

Computed from the residency breakdown in section C1 of the Common Data Set 2025–26.

Early decision and early action

Clemson University does not offer early decision. It offers non-binding early action. Apply by October 15 and you'll hear back by December 15. It is not restrictive, so you can apply early to other colleges too. Regular applications are due May 1 (priority date October 15).

SAT and ACT scores

Test scores are optional and considered if you send them. In fall 2025, 38% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores, so these ranges describe only those students.

The middle 50% of enrolled students who submitted the SAT scored between 1250 and 1400.

SAT composite1250–1400

SAT reading and writing630–710

SAT math620–700

ACT composite28–32

25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of enrolled first-years, fall 2025. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C9. The green bar is the middle 50% and the dark tick is the median.

Check your chances

Enter your GPA and test scores to see whether Clemson is a reach, a target or a likely school for you.

Check my chances at Clemson

Waitlist

13,297 applicants were offered a place on the waitlist, 4,506 accepted it and 1,801 were admitted from it (40% of those who stayed on the list).

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C2.

Application fee and cost

Application fee: $70 (can be waived for financial need).

Tuition and fees for 2025–26 are $15,854 for South Carolina residents and $42,378 for out-of-state students; the average net price after grants was $22,032 in 2024–25. See Clemson's full cost and net price by family income.

Common questions

What is the Clemson acceptance rate?

42.4% for students entering in fall 2025. The college admitted 27,497 of 64,805 first-year applicants, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. The federal figure for fall 2024 was 38.3%.

Is Clemson test-optional?

Yes. Clemson University does not require the SAT or ACT, but considers scores if you send them. In fall 2025, 38% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores.

Sources

Clemson University, Common Data Set 2025–26, checked October 30, 2026.
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, release of October 15, 2026.

Each figure was copied from the source document and checked by hand. If you spot an error, tell us and we'll correct it. Read how we check the data.