Clemson, SC · Private University
Is Clemson University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,513
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$15,554
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,498
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$157,992
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.81x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
87.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,112
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Clemson University graduates earn $26,513 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Clemson University ranked by graduate earnings
134 graduates
71 graduates
64 graduates
139 graduates
66 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Clemson University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Clemson University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $100,006) and the lowest (Genetics: $31,346) is $68,660/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $100,006 | 2.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,071 | 2.2x |
| Computer Engineering | $84,332 | 2.1x |
| Industrial Engineering | $83,583 | 2.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $83,410 | 2.1x |
| Construction Management | $79,462 | 2.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,302 | 2.0x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $78,978 | 2.0x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $76,549 | 1.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,853 | 1.9x |
| Materials Engineering | $75,510 | 1.9x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $73,586 | 1.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,621 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics | $71,461 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $69,904 | 1.8x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $68,182 | 1.7x |
| Marketing | $62,978 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,892 | 1.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $62,729 | 1.6x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $62,160 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $58,873 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,834 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $57,948 | 1.5x |
| Architecture | $57,513 | 1.5x |
| Landscape Architecture | $55,462 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $55,365 | 1.4x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $55,165 | 1.4x |
| Economics | $55,077 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $53,870 | 1.4x |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | $53,186 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $51,270 | 1.3x |
| Food Science and Technology | $48,279 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,753 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $46,792 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,406 | 1.1x |
| History | $43,894 | 1.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $43,318 | 1.1x |
| Forestry | $43,033 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $42,978 | 1.1x |
| Plant Sciences | $42,933 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $42,405 | 1.1x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $41,676 | 1.1x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $40,638 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,400 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,984 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $39,209 | 1.0x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $38,057 | 1.0x |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $35,853 | 0.9x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $34,874 | 0.9x |
| GeneticsLowest(1yr data) | $31,346 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 1.88x | $60,249 | Good ROI |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 2.06x | $82,860 | Strong ROI |
| Auburn University | 1.93x | $65,337 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Clemson University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $71,513 10 years after starting — $26,513 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.