Students at Clemson University achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes, with graduates earning well above typical public university levels and ranking in the top 10% nationally.
The university combines selective admissions with strong support systems that help students from various backgrounds succeed academically and financially.
Azimuth ranks Clemson University 28th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 7% for overall value. What distinguishes Clemson is its ability to deliver flagship-level outcomes while maintaining reasonable costs for most families. The university combines selective admissions with strong long-term financial returns, producing graduates who earn a median of $71,513 ten years after enrollment—well above typical public university outcomes.
Clemson operates as a "Selective Achievers" institution, meaning it delivers excellent outcomes for the students it enrolls, though access is more limited for low-income and first-generation students. About 15% of students receive Pell Grants, and roughly 17% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's competitive admissions profile. Despite this selectivity, Clemson maintains strong graduation rates across income groups and produces graduates who consistently outperform earnings expectations in fields ranging from engineering to business.
As South Carolina's flagship research university, Clemson offers the academic breadth and employer recognition that comes with major public university status, combined with the focused excellence that selective institutions provide. For families who can navigate the admissions process and manage moderate debt levels, Clemson represents a compelling combination of prestige, outcomes, and relative affordability within the public university landscape.
Clemson University's program mix reflects its strength as a comprehensive research university with particular excellence in engineering and business fields. Business Administration and Management stands out as the highest aggregate return program, combining substantial enrollment (379 graduates) with solid median earnings of $44,266, creating significant economic impact for the university's overall outcomes. Psychology (303 graduates) and Biology (275 graduates) represent the largest enrollment programs, though with more moderate early-career earnings that often reflect these fields' role as preparation for graduate school or specialized career paths.
Engineering programs consistently deliver Clemson's strongest financial returns, with Chemical Engineering leading at $74,721 in median earnings for 66 graduates. This pattern reflects both the university's technical strength and the strong demand for engineering talent in the Southeast and beyond. The combination of high-earning engineering programs with substantial business enrollment creates a balanced portfolio that supports both individual student success and the university's overall financial outcomes.
As a large research university, Clemson graduates substantial cohorts annually across diverse fields, creating meaningful alumni networks and employer relationships that benefit students long after graduation. The university's comprehensive program scale provides students with extensive opportunities for internships, research, and career placement across South Carolina's growing economy and throughout the broader Southeast region.
Clemson University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $71,513, ranking in the 90th percentile among public universities. This performance reflects both the university's academic strength and its graduates' success in securing well-paying careers across diverse fields, from engineering and business to the sciences and liberal arts.
The university's program mix drives much of this earnings success. Business Administration and Management leads in total economic impact, graduating 379 students annually with median earnings of $44,266, creating substantial aggregate returns. Chemical Engineering represents the highest-earning pathway, with 66 graduates earning a median of $74,721 early in their careers. Psychology (303 graduates) and Biology (275 graduates) enroll large numbers of students, though with more moderate early-career earnings of $27,667 and $25,729 respectively, these programs often serve as stepping stones to graduate school or specialized career paths.
Clemson's engineering programs consistently deliver some of the strongest financial returns, while business programs combine solid earnings with high enrollment numbers. The university's location in South Carolina, where cost of living runs below national averages, means graduate earnings provide strong purchasing power locally, though many Clemson alumni pursue opportunities in higher-cost metropolitan areas throughout the Southeast and beyond.
Clemson University maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, though costs increase predictably with family income. Low-income students pay about $14,212 annually after aid, which sits near the middle range for public universities nationally. Middle-income families see net prices around $19,988 per year, while higher-income families pay approximately $27,348 annually—levels that remain competitive with other flagship public institutions.
Debt levels at Clemson are manageable for most graduates given their strong earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt is about $21,500, and with median graduate earnings of $71,513, most borrowers can handle standard 10-year repayment comfortably. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $31,281, reflecting families' willingness to invest in Clemson's strong outcomes, though this level requires careful family financial planning.
What makes Clemson's costs sustainable is the combination of reasonable debt levels and strong post-graduation earnings. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and loan repayment data shows that Clemson borrowers pay down their balances faster than national averages. By year 4 after graduation, about 27% of borrowers have paid off their loans entirely, and those still paying have reduced their original balances by more than the typical graduate nationwide.
Clemson University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
