Clemson University

Nationally Recognized and Student Centered

Clemson University is a nationally ranked public research university with a reputation for providing an exceptional student experience. This institution combines the benefits of a major land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented university with a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and individual student success. Yet, even with its national recognition, Clemson remains a student-centered community characterized by inclusiveness, collaboration, high academic standards and a drive to excel. Clemson's teaching and learning environment is more characteristic of private liberal arts colleges, but it still offers the academic, community service and social opportunities found at major public universities. Clemson has students who are engaged, spirited, highly competitive and -- according to guidebooks and student reviews -- among the nation's happiest.

South Carolina Campus Connects with Nature

With a beautiful campus surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains, Clemson boasts its own 17,500-acre experimental forest and is home to the 295-acre S.C. Botanical Garden. It sits on the shores of Hartwell Lake, one of the Southeast's most popular recreation sites. The main campus translates into roughly one acre per student.

A Campus Life of Culture, Service, Athletics and Learning

With a student population greater than 24,000 at Clemson University, classes are carefully managed to ensure small sizes, a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and high retention and graduation rates. Student engagement and satisfaction score well above the national average, with 92 percent of seniors saying they'd choose Clemson again. The University recently earned national recognition for its 23 living-learning communities, Creative Inquiry undergraduate research program, and student participation in service-learning and civic engagement.

More than 400 student organizations, honor societies, service fraternities and clubs make campus life a fun and enriching experience. Clemson also boasts a variety of athletic and cultural opportunities. Students can enjoy music, dance, and student and professional theater at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts; tour historic homes at Fort Hill and Hanover House; and cheer Division I athletic events in 19 sports.

Clemson students are known for their loyalty and hospitality. According to The Princeton Review, Clemson students are also proud of their university, ranking No. 1 among students who love their college. U.S. News and World Report ranks Clemson No. 3 in the nation for the percentage of alumni who give back to their alma mater.

Wide Range of Degree Programs

Students can select from more than 80 undergraduate and 119 graduate degree programs offered by the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities; College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; and College of Science.

Educational and Financial Accolades

Ranked No. 24 among national public universities according to U.SNews & World Report, Clemson is also the number one choice of South Carolina's best high school graduates. More than half of incoming freshmen ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Clemson has also been named among the best public college values by Kiplinger magazine in 2017, and Princeton Review named it among the “Colleges that pay you back” in 2017.

Clemson's Founding

Clemson was founded in 1889 by a bequest from Thomas Green Clemson. He was a Philadelphia-born, European-educated engineer, musician and artist who married John C. Calhoun's daughter Anna and settled at her family's estate in South Carolina. Clemson believed that the way to rebuild his adopted state's war-ravaged economy was through scientific education, so he left his home and fortune to the state of South Carolina to create the institution that bears his name.