At $22,112/yr net price, Clemson University graduates earn $71,513/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,513/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,112 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,448 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,513/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,513/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 87.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,212/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,857/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,988/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,020/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,348/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,762 | $35,034 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Real Estate. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,721 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,262 | $39,712 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $69,079 | $21,611 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,592 | $24,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,995 | $26,179 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Master | $67,101 | $18,862 |
The Risk Factor
87.9% of students at Clemson University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Clemson gives you a strong financial return. You leave with about $21,500 in debt against median earnings that clear $71,000 a decade out, so your debt-to-earnings ratio sits well below the one-times-salary line most advisors warn against. The 87.9% graduation rate and 92.83% retention mean you are likely to finish, which is where most college debt disasters start.
Engineering is where Clemson pays off hardest. Chemical engineering graduates earn near $75,000 while carrying only about $20,500 in debt, the best pairing on the list. Computer science does nearly as well and leaves you with similar debt. Industrial, computer, and electrical engineering all land in the high $60,000s, though computer and electrical engineering push your debt into the $24,000-$26,000 range, so the return per borrowed dollar is thinner there. The engineering slant fits the manufacturing and tech employers across the Carolina upstate.
The risk at Clemson is that its published outcomes lean heavily on engineering. If you enroll and drift toward a lower-paying major, your debt stays the same but your earnings expectation drops. Pick your major with the salary in mind before you borrow.
Net price is where families should look closely. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $14,000 a year. That climbs to about $20,000 in the $48,000-$75,000 band and $27,000 once you clear $110,000. The jump between the middle tiers is steep, so a family earning $60,000 carries a real burden here.
Clemson is a good bet if you are committed to engineering or computing and can hold your net price near the lower tiers. If you are unsure of your major and land in the upper income bands paying close to $27,000 a year, price out cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clemson University worth the cost?
Clemson graduates earn $71,513 annually 10 years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional for a net price of $22,112 per year. Engineering and nursing programs offer the best return on investment, while other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the highest paying majors at Clemson University?
Nursing leads at $90,762 annually, followed by industrial engineering at $84,653 and real estate at $78,343. Chemical and mechanical engineering both pay around $74,500, making STEM fields the clear winners for earnings.
How much debt do Clemson University students graduate with?
The median debt is $21,500, which is manageable compared to many universities. With solid job placement rates and decent starting salaries in key programs, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Does Clemson University have good job prospects after graduation?
The 87.9% graduation rate suggests most students complete their degrees, and engineering/nursing programs have strong job markets. However, students in lower-paying majors may find it harder to justify the investment compared to cheaper in-state alternatives.