Clemson University is a public land-grant research university situated in Clemson, South Carolina, within a distant town environment near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a mid-sized university with 22,875 undergraduates (Fall 2023) and an overall enrollment of 29,077 (2024–25). Competitive admissions exist with an acceptance rate of around 38.3%. The most popular majors are Engineering, Business, Biology, Social Sciences, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate is 88%, and the Clemson graduates have a median starting salary of about INR 47,33,000 (based on $57,100 median salaries ten years after entering).
University of South Carolina (USC) is a public research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, within a midsize city. It is a large university with 28,470 undergraduate students and an overall enrollment of around 36,579. Admissions are not as competitive as Clemson, with an acceptance rate of around 68%. Its popular majors are Business, Biology, Social Sciences, Communication, and Psychology. The six-year graduation rate is 78%, and the median starting salary for USC graduates is around INR 42,84,000 (equivalent to $51,700 median earnings after ten years since graduation).
| Clemson University | University of South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.3 Out of 10 | 4.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 951 QS World University 2026 # 575 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 951 QS World University 2025 | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 375 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 77 for Engineering by US News 2024 | # 301 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 94 for Medicine by US News 2024 # 176 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -55 PG Programs -55 | UG Programs -94 PG Programs -66 |
| Acceptance Rate | 38.1 % | 61.5 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-105 GRE-300 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1220 TOEFL-80 | Duolingo-115 IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 SAT-1170 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 35362 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 22976 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 13284 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 32898 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 21897 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 40352 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Bachelor of Science: $89,000 Masters in Science: $83,000 Doctorate: $50,000 Bachelor of Arts: $43,000 |
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| application requirements | Submit academic credentials Submit scores of entrance exams Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit letters of recommendation Submit personal statement Submit English language test scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.6/10 Read 13 reviews | 7.8/10 Read 4 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 300 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 95 for Business by US News 2025 | # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 151 for Business by QS World University 2024 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 80/120 | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 95/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -37374 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Feb 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Oct 15, 2025 (Priority Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 intake) Dec 1, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Clemson University | University of South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1889 | 1801 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 51% Male, 49% Female | 45% Male, 55% Female |
| Location Facts | Clemson's 1,400-acre campus is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus now borders Lake Hartwell. | The USC system creates a statewide presence through multiple locations -- the research university in Columbia, the comprehensive universities in Aiken, Beaufort and Upstate, the Palmetto College campuses in Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter and Union, and its online campus -- providing great opportunities for students and communities. |
| Library | Clemson Libraries serves the students, faculty, and staff of Clemson University, as well as members of the community. This includes visitors from community groups and K-12 schools and programs. | University has six libaries: Thomas cooper library, law library, Ernest F. Hollings special library, Music library, Medicine library and South Carolina library. Law library is the largest in South Carolina with 500,000 volumes of collection. Medicine library has more than 116,000 collection of volumes. |
| Campus Life | A walk across Clemson’s campus transports visitors from rolling hills to Death Valley and farther still to Lake Hartwell. The sound of the carillon greets those within earshot of Tillman Hall, and often, the sight of an orange and purple sunset signals the end of a day spent in Clemson. Clemson has six campus media organizations. Clemson offers 31 club sports. With 27 residence halls and on-campus apartments, Clemson students can choose the style, location and amenities for their home at Clemson. Clemson Dining provides fuel for students to pursue their goals every day. With 26 on-campus dining options, there’s always a seat at the table for students on campus. Clemson University’s highest priority is making sure that students feel welcome and safe while they are on campus. Clemson students have access to a variety of resources to help recover from illness, maintain their health and reach their mental and physical health goals. From Counseling and Psychological Services to Redfern Health Center, a variety of certified health professionals are available to support the well-being of every student. Group fitness classes, personal training, intramural sports teams, club sports, outdoor recreation and over 250,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities give Clemson students the option of exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains or exercising on campus. | There are state-of-the-art academic and administrative buildings, athletic facilities, university housing, food locations, parking lots, green spaces, and pathways on USC's stunning 359-acre main campus in downtown Columbia. In addition, USC runs seven satellite campuses in various cities, including Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, Union, Aiken, Beaufort, and Upstate. The University of South Carolina campus offers a vast array of opportunities that are constantly expanding. Your time there will be used to discover hobbies, make plans for the future, and make connections with people who might end up being part of your life forever.
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| Hostel | #Housing - $8208 | #4-Bedroom Apartment - $11200 #2-Bedroom Apartment - $11600 #1-Bedroom Apartment - $13212 |
| Famous Alumni | Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. Class of 1948, was the only person killed by enemy fire during the Cuban Missile Crisis. |
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| City Life | Clemson is located in Pickens and Anderson counties. The city, in large part, revolves around the presence of the University. In 2015, the Princeton Review named Clemson as #1 in the US for “town-and-gown” relations with its University. There are approximately 16,649 people living in Clemson. Clemson borders Lake Hartwell, one of the Southeast’s largest and most popular recreation lakes.art, revolves around the presence of the University. The median income in Clemson, SC is $39,241 and the median home value is $236,549. Living in Clemson offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Clemson there are a lot of bars and parks. Many young professionals live in Clemson and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Clemson are highly rated. |
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Clemson University vs. University of South Carolina
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Clemson and USC are both highly ranked public research universities, but Clemson typically rates higher in U.S. national rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Clemson is roughly 951st in the world, while USC is higher at 601st. In U.S. News National Universities 2025, Clemson is rated 103rd, versus USC at 116th. Clemson has a strong Engineering (77th in U.S. News 2024), whereas USC is known for its strengths in Business and Medicine (94th in U.S. News 2024). Each of these schools does well in certain areas, with Clemson excelling in Engineering and USC excelling in fields such as Law (176th in THE 2025).
General Information
USC is the larger university, with a total student body of 36,579 as opposed to Clemson's 29,077. USC's urban campus location in Columbia accommodates a wider variety of programs, hosting 94 undergraduate and 66 graduate programs, including professional degrees like the Doctorate of Professional Practice. Clemson hosts 55 undergraduate and 55 graduate programs, with particular emphasis on undergraduate programs and select graduate programs like Engineering and Business, housed in a more secluded, rural campus setting.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Clemson admissions are more selective, with an acceptance rate of 38.3% versus USC's 68%. Admitted students at Clemson tend to have higher average SAT (1250–1400 vs. USC's 1180–1380) and ACT (28–32 vs. 26–32) scores. Both universities are test-optional, using high school GPA, rank, and personal statements in admissions. Clemson's lower yield rate (20.7% vs. USC's 25.5%) indicates selectivity, while USC receives a greater number of diverse applicants due to the range of its programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both the universities are Research Universities with very high research activity. Clemson boasts of good research output with more than 65,000 publications and 1.65M citations, mainly in the areas of Engineering, Materials Science, and Biology. USC has a strong research infrastructure in Business, Medicine, and Social Sciences, enabled by its large campus and vast library system. Clemson's low-scale research centers emphasize undergraduate participation, whereas USC's large graduate programs fuel larger research initiatives.
Cost & Financial Aid
Clemson's in-state cost is $15,554, and out-of-state is $40,866, while USC is cheaper at $12,688 in-state and $35,972 out-of-state. Clemson gives more aid on average ($12,634 vs. $7,223 at USC), with 75% of students receiving aid to USC's 79%. Both give need-based and merit-based aid, but Clemson's higher aid levels balance its higher cost, while USC's lower cost is a plus for in-state students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Clemson graduates earn slightly higher median salaries ($57,100 vs. USC’s $51,700 ten years post-graduation) and have a higher six-year graduation rate (88% vs. 78%). Clemson’s alumni network is strong in Engineering and regional industries, particularly in South Carolina. USC graduates excel in Business, Medicine, and Communication, with a robust presence in urban and national job markets. Both universities offer comprehensive career services, with USC’s larger alumni base providing broader networking opportunities in diverse fields.
