Spelman vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Clemson University in Clemson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clemson University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Clemson University 16:1.

Spelman vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Clemson University than Spelman ($25,003 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 26.6% lower than at Spelman College ($13,284 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 102.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $16,002 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.5% higher at Clemson than at Spelman College (about $9,310 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at Clemson University (96% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($11,389 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 120 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have the same average high school GPA (3.75) as students at Clemson (3.75).
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

Spelman vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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 Spelman College's (77%).
• Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 47%)

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.