ASU vs. Clemson

Deciding between Arizona State University and Clemson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Arizona State University
Clemson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • ASU Tempe, AZ
  • Clemson Clemson, SC
  • Setting
  • ASU Midsize City
  • Clemson Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ASU 79,818
  • Clemson 29,077
  • Type
  • ASU Public 4 Year
  • Clemson Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • ASU #398
  • Clemson #132
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ASU -
  • Clemson -
  • Status
  • ASU Non-profit
  • Clemson Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • ASU
  • Clemson

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • ASU $12,223
  • Clemson $15,554
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • ASU $33,139
  • Clemson $40,866
  • Room & Board
  • ASU $16,712
  • Clemson $13,284
  • Average Net Price
  • ASU $17,779
  • Clemson $25,003
  • Average Grant Aid
  • ASU $12,172
  • Clemson $11,389
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • ASU 89%
  • Clemson 75%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • ASU 70,928
  • Clemson 61,517
  • Admitted
  • ASU 63,756
  • Clemson 23,586
  • Acceptance Rate
  • ASU 89.9%
  • Clemson 38.3%
  • Enrolled
  • ASU 22.1%
  • Clemson 20.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ASU 1210
  • Clemson 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • ASU 24
  • Clemson 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • ASU 3.54
  • Clemson 3.75
  • Typical High School Grades
  • ASU B+
  • Clemson A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • ASU Challenging
  • Clemson Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • ASU
  • Clemson High
  • ACT Range
  • ASU 21/28
  • Clemson 28/32
  • SAT Range
  • ASU 1100/1320
  • Clemson 1240/1410
  • Submit Test Scores
  • ASU Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
  • Clemson Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • ASU
  • Clemson May 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • ASU 18:1
  • Clemson 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • ASU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Education (7%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Clemson
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • ASU 57%
  • Clemson 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • ASU $52,600
  • Clemson $57,100
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • ASU 57%
  • Clemson 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • ASU $20,278
  • Clemson $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • ASU $209
  • Clemson $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • ASU 52%
  • Clemson 48%
  • % Women
  • ASU 48%
  • Clemson 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • ASU High
  • Clemson Very Low
  • HBCU
  • ASU No
  • Clemson No
  • % White
  • ASU 52%
  • Clemson 83%
  • % Asian
  • ASU 7%
  • Clemson 2%
  • % Black
  • ASU 4%
  • Clemson 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • ASU 19%
  • Clemson 3%
  • % Native American
  • ASU 1%
  • Clemson 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • ASU 0%
  • Clemson 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • ASU 4%
  • Clemson 3%
  • % International
  • ASU 12%
  • Clemson 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • ASU 1%
  • Clemson 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • ASU 63%
  • Clemson 56%
  • % Out-of-State
  • ASU 30%
  • Clemson 43%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • ASU Yes
  • Clemson Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • ASU No
  • Clemson No
  • Meal Plan
  • ASU Yes
  • Clemson Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • ASU Yes
  • Clemson No
  • Daycare Facility
  • ASU Yes
  • Clemson No

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with Clemson University in Clemson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 29,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
  • Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; Clemson University 16:1.

ASU vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Clemson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arizona State University than Clemson ($17,779 vs. $25,003).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 20.5% lower than at Arizona State University ($13,284 vs. $16,712).
  • Clemson University is 27.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $3,331 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $12,223.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Clemson than at Arizona State University (about $7,727 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $33,139.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at Clemson University (89% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arizona State University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($12,172 vs. $11,389).

ASU vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Clemson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clemson and ASU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 120 points higher than at ASU (1210).
  • Incoming Clemson students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ASU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; Clemson University 1240/1410.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; Clemson University 28/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Clemson students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at ASU (3.54).
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Clemson (38.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

ASU vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Clemson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Arizona State University graduates have a $1,222 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($20,278 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($209 vs. $222).
  • More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.