Clemson University
Clemson University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Clemson University at a Glance
Clemson University is a public land-grant research university near Clemson, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1889, Clemson is the second-largest university by enrollment in South Carolina. For the fall 2025 semester, the university enrolled a total of 24,060 undergraduate students and 5,485 graduate students, and the student/faculty ratio was 16:1.
1889
137 years old
$1.2B
$1.24 billion (2025)
29,545
24,060 undergrad · 5,485 grad
2,023
1,400 acres
Identity
Is Clemson University Worth It?
Clemson University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $22,253/year, it's priced 9% above average, while graduates go on to earn $71,513 — 33% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 87% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Bottom line: Clemson University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Clemson University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 17 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Long Beach | 100 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| #2 | University of California-Davis | 100 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| #3 | University of California-Irvine | 100 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | University of Georgia | 100 | $13,936 | $68,726 |
| #6 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 100 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| #14 | Clemson University | 70 | $22,253 | $71,513 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Clemson University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Clemson University
The highest-earning program at Clemson University is Chemical Engineering at $72,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Agricultural Production Operations at $22,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from Clemson University earns $72,400, while a Agricultural Production Operations graduate earns $22,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $21,798 in median debt vs. $21,526 for Agricultural Production Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,253/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $72,400 | $72,400 | $21,798 |
| Industrial Engineering | $65,500 | $65,500 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $22,252 |
| Computer Engineering | $64,900 | $64,900 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,100 | $64,100 | $21,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,400 | $63,400 | $20,625 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $62,200 | $62,200 | $25,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $58,600 | $58,600 | $20,817 |
| Materials Engineering | $58,300 | $58,300 | $27,000 |
| Construction Management | $58,000 | $58,000 | $25,625 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,400 | $57,400 | $24,150 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,000 | $57,000 | $16,108 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $50,600 | $50,600 | $24,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,000 | $46,000 | $20,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $45,600 | $45,600 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $21,850 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $43,600 | $43,600 | N/A |
| Marketing | $42,900 | $42,900 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | $42,700 | $42,700 | $23,571 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,100 | $41,100 | $23,000 |
| Landscape Architecture | $40,900 | $40,900 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,800 | $40,800 | $21,500 |
| Architecture | $40,300 | $40,300 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $37,900 | $37,900 | $18,575 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,300 | $37,300 | $21,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $37,200 | $37,200 | $17,447 |
| Chemistry | $36,400 | $36,400 | $20,500 |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | $34,500 | $34,500 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,300 | $33,300 | $24,692 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $32,600 | $32,600 | $22,883 |
| Plant Sciences | $32,000 | $32,000 | $20,000 |
| Sociology | $31,300 | $31,300 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $21,500 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $29,600 | $29,600 | $21,634 |
| History | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,662 |
| Food Science and Technology | $28,400 | $28,400 | $26,255 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $28,000 | $28,000 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $21,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $27,100 | $27,100 | $23,850 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $20,500 |
| Animal Sciences | $24,500 | $24,500 | $21,758 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $22,100 | $22,100 | $21,526 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Clemson, SC
- Student Body
- 23,300 students
- Admission Rate
- 38%
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,253
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,513
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500