Clemson University Acceptance Rate
Clemson, South Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 60,122
- Admitted
- 22,879
- Yield
- 19.6%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Clemson University's acceptance rate has fallen from 51.5% in 2014–15 to 38.1% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 20,756 to 60,122 (+190%) over that period.
Its 38.1% rate makes Clemson University more selective than about 90% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 31 tracked South Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 94%.
Clemson University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 19.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 20,756 | 10,694 | 51.5% | 3,475 |
| 2015–16 | 22,396 | 11,483 | 51.3% | 3,447 |
| 2016–17 | 23,506 | 11,881 | 50.5% | 3,684 |
| 2017–18 | 26,242 | 12,380 | 47.2% | 3,650 |
| 2018–19 | 28,845 | 13,613 | 47.2% | 3,792 |
| 2019–20 | 29,070 | 14,900 | 51.3% | 3,932 |
| 2020–21 | 28,600 | 17,715 | 61.9% | 4,199 |
| 2021–22 | 47,007 | 23,138 | 49.2% | 4,593 |
| 2022–23 | 52,819 | 22,704 | 43% | 4,588 |
| 2023–24 | 60,122 | 22,879 | 38.1% | 4,494 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 36,378 | 14,146 | 38.9% |
| Men | 23,462 | 8,621 | 36.7% |
| Another gender | 282 | 112 | 39.7% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 620–690 | 39% |
| SAT Math | 610–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 28–32 | 21% |
How Clemson University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Clemson University's acceptance rate?
Clemson University's acceptance rate is 38.1% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (22,879 admitted of 60,122 applicants).
Is Clemson University test optional?
Clemson University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Clemson University?
Clemson University received 60,122 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 22,879.
What SAT score do you need for Clemson University?
Admitted students at Clemson University typically scored 620–690 on SAT Reading/Writing and 610–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Clemson University getting harder to get into?
Clemson University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 51.5% in 2014–15 to 38.1% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.clemson.edu/.