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Undergraduate Admissions

Clemson Undergraduate Admission Statistics

Clemson is looking for the next class of Tigers: students who’ve proven their academic capability and are driven to accomplish challenging work that creates a brighter future.

2024 First-Year Profile

High School Class Rank

Chart depicting class ranks of 2024 Clemson First-Year students. 57% in top 10% of class, 86% in top 20% of class and 99% in top 50% of class.
  • SAT: 1250-1400
    MIDDLE 50% OF SAT SCORES
  • ACT: 28-32
    MIDDLE 50% OF ACT SCORES

Acceptance Rate

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. However, 95 percent of all South Carolina applicants for the Class of 2028 were offered a path to Clemson University through Fall admission, the Summer term or entrance into the Bridge to Clemson program.

We accepted 38 percent of all applicants and 56 percent of in-state applicants for Fall 2024 admission.

  • 61,517
    APPLIED
  • 23,586
    ACCEPTED
  • 4,880
    ENROLLED
  • 95%
    S.C. APPLICANTS OFFERED A PATH TO CLEMSON
  • 38%
    ACCEPTANCE RATE

The Clemson Student Body

2024 Enrollment

2024 enrollment: 23,401 undergraduates, 5,676 graduate students.
  • 29,077
    Total Enrollment

2024 Undergraduate Geographic Diversity

  • 13,673 South Carolina
  • 1,052 North Carolina
  • 1,013 New Jersey
  • 892 Georgia
  • 882 New York

  • 54%
    FEMALE
  • 46%
    MALE

2024 First-Year Class Representation

  • 2,731 South Carolina Residents
  • 273 South Carolina High Schools
  • 1,432 Non-South Carolina High Schools
  • 50 States and the District of Columbia
  • 29 Foreign Countries

2024 Transfer Profile

  • 3,731
    APPLIED
  • 2,181
    ACCEPTED
  • 1,580
    ENROLLED

Academics Report

  • 86%
    INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY WITH PH.D. OR EQUIVALENT
  • 88%
    FULL-TIME INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY

Are you a Tiger? These Are the Qualities We Look For.

Clemson Tigers are hungry for academic challenges.

One of the clearest indicators of your fit at Clemson is your academic performance in high school. We examine your GPA, class rank and the rigor of the classes you took to gauge your ability to rise to academic challenges.

Most of our applicants have competitive GPAs and present transcripts with college preparatory, honors and AP coursework based on what is offered by their high school.

All applicants for first-year admission should have completed the following courses:

Recommended High School Curriculum

Course Type Credits
English 4 credits
Mathematics 3 credits
Laboratory Science 3 credits
Foreign Language 3 credits*
Social Sciences 3 credits
Other 2 credits
Physical Education/ROTC 1 credit
Fine Arts 1 credit

*Students who have completed fewer than three credits of the same foreign language are encouraged to apply. Select majors may have additional requirements.


Does Clemson have a preference for AP, IB or dual-enrollment courses?

AP, IB and dual-enrollment offerings vary widely from school to school, so we look at your coursework in the context of what was offered at your high school. Future Clemson Tigers shine by accepting the challenge when AP, IB or dual-enrollment classes are offered in high school. Visit Transfer Course Equivalency to gauge how many of your AP, IB and dual-enrollment courses translate to Clemson credit, or view the IB Credit Chart and AP Credit Chart to learn more.

How does Clemson evaluate standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)?

Clemson has adopted a test-optional policy. Applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to Clemson.

If a student chooses that test scores should be used, the scores must be submitted electronically by the respective testing agency. We will automatically update your application file with any new test scores we receive by our application deadlines. Clemson does not require the SAT or ACT essay.

Clemson University super-scores both the SAT and the ACT. For the SAT, this means that the overall total SAT score will then be derived by taking the highest of the evidence-based reading and writing/math scores.

For the ACT, this means that we consider a student’s highest ACT section (or subtest) scores regardless of test date. The super composite ACT score is calculated as the average of the best ACT English, Reading, Math and Science subject scores.


What role does your choice of major play?

Choice of major and residency play an important part in the evaluation process. Because some majors attract large numbers of applicants or have limited classroom space, admission requirements may vary. In addition, as a public institution, we give South Carolina residents priority in the evaluation process.

Students are encouraged to select two different intended majors. If you are not admissible in your first choice, we automatically consider your second. Selecting the same major twice is not recommended.

Special Major Considerations

An audition is required for students interested in pursuing music or theatre concentrations. For more information, visit the Department of Performing Arts.

A male professor and male student sit at a table in a studio space with two architectural models.

Clemson Tigers are Growing Leaders

A male student wearing a light gray sweatshirt stands in a computer lab while pushing a grocery cart full of chips and soft drinks.

Clemson Tigers are engaged in their communities


Many people have hobbies and interests. Clemson Tigers have passions and service mindsets that guide them to leadership roles in clubs, organizations, sports teams, volunteer activities, the arts, academic clubs and part-time jobs. Let us know about how you led your team to a championship win, the research you’ve conducted or the job you’ve excelled in while maintaining an excellent GPA.

A male student wearing a light orange button-down shirt and purple graduation stole stands in front of an audio switchboard.

Clemson Tigers come from a variety of backgrounds


We are looking for students who bring varied experiences, knowledge and talents to Clemson. We understand that not everyone has the same opportunities. When reviewing applications, your coursework, activities and curriculum are examined in the context of what is offered in your high school.

A female student stands in front of a Clemson Ring display case that holds several rings from over the years.

Clemson Tigers have unique stories to tell


We want to hear about the skills, experiences, challenges and triumphs that have shaped you. 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. We want to hear your story.