AU vs. Clemson

Anderson University and Clemson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Anderson University
Clemson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clemson (38.3% admitted vs 54.7%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $24,434 at AU vs $25,003 at Clemson. AU in-state tuition is about $19,416 more per year.
  • Graduation: AU 48% vs Clemson 80%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $37,500 vs Clemson $57,100 (median).
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Key differences

Anderson University Clemson University
Acceptance rate
Clemson more selective
AU54.7%
Clemson38.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clemson higher
AU1100-1280
Clemson1240-1410
Average net price
About even
AU$24,434
Clemson$25,003
In-state tuition
Clemson $19,416 less
AU$34,970
Clemson$15,554
Out-of-state tuition
AU $5,896 less
AU$34,970
Clemson$40,866
Graduation rate
Clemson +32 pts
AU48%
Clemson80%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clemson +$19,600
AU$37,500
Clemson$57,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 4,548
  • Clemson 61,517
  • Admitted
  • AU 2,488
  • Clemson 23,586
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 54.7%
  • Clemson 38.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 32.5%
  • Clemson 20.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1190
  • Clemson 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 25
  • Clemson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.72
  • Clemson 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Clemson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Challenging
  • Clemson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Clemson High
  • SAT range
  • AU 1100-1280
  • Clemson 1240-1410
  • ACT range
  • AU 22-29
  • Clemson 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Clemson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU
  • Clemson May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $34,970
  • Clemson $15,554
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $34,970
  • Clemson $40,866
  • Room & board
  • AU $12,720
  • Clemson $13,284
  • Average net price
  • AU $24,434
  • Clemson $25,003
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $25,969
  • Clemson $11,389
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 98%
  • Clemson 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 48%
  • Clemson 80%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $37,500
  • Clemson $57,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 60%
  • Clemson 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $26,862
  • Clemson $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $277
  • Clemson $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 13:1
  • Clemson 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Clemson
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • Clemson Clemson, SC
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • Clemson Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 4,710
  • Clemson 29,077
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Clemson Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #662
  • Clemson #132

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Clemson University in Clemson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clemson University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 4,710 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
  • Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Clemson University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 4.2% lower than at Clemson University ($12,720 vs. $13,284).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Clemson than at Anderson University (about $5,896 more per year; $40,866 vs. $34,970).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Clemson University (98% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 128% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($25,969 vs. $11,389).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Clemson than at AU (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Clemson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clemson average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at AU (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $5,362 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($222 vs. $277).
  • More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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