Administration
Clemson University is a nationally recognized public research university with a clear focus on student success, research excellence and service to South Carolina and beyond. The University is guided by Clemson Elevate, a bold, data-driven strategic plan adopted in 2023 that establishes three priorities: deliver the No. 1 student experience in the nation, double research expenditures and transform lives statewide and beyond. Clemson’s growth in recent years reflects a sustained commitment to strategic planning, accountability and investment. The University enrolls 29,545 students, with a 94.1 percent first-year retention rate and an 87.5 percent six-year graduation rate. Applications reached a record 64,805 for Fall 2025. Clemson remains an R1 research institution, with total research and development expenditures reaching a record $372 million in 2025. The University’s strategic vision builds on this momentum while strengthening its land-grant mission through educational, economic, agricultural and health outreach across South Carolina and beyond. Clemson continues to move Fiercely Forward, with goals and metrics designed to align resources, measure progress and position the University for continued state, national and global impact.
