Clemson University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Clemson was $14,038 a year for in-state students and $37,982 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 37,982 per year for tuition at Clemson University.

Clemson University meets 47% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Clemson University is around $13,352 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $34,307 of debt.

Clemson University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Clemson University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $14,038 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-South Carolina residents can expect to pay 37,982 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Carolina colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Clemson University?

Clemson University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Clemson University can expect to pay around $37,982 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Clemson University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Clemson University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Clemson University.

Room and Board Costs at Clemson University

Room and board at Clemson University is $12,350 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Clemson University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Clemson University

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area is often expensive, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. Clemson Universityis located in a town in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Clemson University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Clemson University.

Total Cost of Clemson University

What will the cost of attending Clemson University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$14,038
Out-of-State Tuition	$37,982
Room and Board	$12,350
Other expenses	$4,228

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Clemson University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 8,539 of the 21,738 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Clemson University meets 47% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $13,352 a year. Around 46% of Clemson University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Clemson University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $34,307 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,357
Private Loans	$45,385

Most Common Loans for Clemson University Students
Federal Loans	44%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Clemson University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Clemson University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Clemson University awarded 7,095 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $85.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $62.28 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Clemson University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Clemson University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Clemson University was $13,352 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Clemson University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$6,382
Net In-state, Off-campus	$3,156
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$43,678

What will attending Clemson University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Clemson University's net cost calculator on their website.

Clemson University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Clemson University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Clemson University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Clemson University's endowment was $518.6 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $10,188 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Clemson University

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