Clemson University Tuition: Costs, Tuition Fees, and How to Budget

If you’re researching Clemson University tuition, the 2025-2026 school year comes in at $14,038 for South Carolina residents and $40,562 for non-South Carolina residents.[1] Compared to the national average costs for in-state tuition of $12,201, Clemson University is a more expensive school, especially for out-of-state students.[2]

Learn more about the in-state vs. out-of-state tuition costs, common expenses, and financial aid options to plan your budget for Clemson University or compare different school costs.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition and Fees for Clemson University

Here’s a comparison of the in-state vs. out-of-state tuition for Clemson University:[3]

These totals reflect Clemson’s official estimated cost of attendance tables for 2025-2026, which budget tuition plus required fees for a full-time, two-semester year. Clemson’s Board of Trustees froze in-state tuition again for 2025-2026, for the sixth consecutive year, and approved a small increase for non-residents.[4]

What Do the Required Fees Cover?

The Required Fees for Clemson University bundle the standard charges for full-time students each semester, such as lab fees. This doesn’t include enrichment fees or other expenses like meals, housing, and books.

Assuming an undergraduate student with 12+ credits for one semester, residents pay an average of $7,019 for tuition and $541 for certain fees per semester, as well as an estimated $100 for additional fees like library or athletics fees.[5] A non-resident undergraduate student with 12+ credits pays an average of $20,281 for tuition, plus the same fees. These totals are an estimate based on most students, but your costs may vary.

Tuition vs. Total Cost of Attendance

Clemson’s cost of attendance encompasses more than just tuition and required fees – it totals the annual costs students usually have each year. Here’s a breakdown of those costs for an  undergraduate student:[6]

The total costs for in-state undergraduate students are $37,130, and the total costs for out-of-state students is $63,654. First-year students also have a laptop allowance of $2,890 added to the estimated costs, which increases the total to $40,020 for in-state students and $66,544 for out-of-state students.[7]

Program-Specific Tuition and Fees

On top of standard tuition and fees for in-state and out-of-state students, Clemson lists “Major Enrichment” and program fees. Depending on your major, you may have additional charges, many of which are the same for residents and non-residents:[8]

• Engineering Program Fee: $1,250
• Behavioral Science Major Fee: $1,000
• Computer Science Program Fee: $500
• Nursing Program Fee: $1,000
• Design/Build Program Fee: $750
• Honors College Fee: $550
• ClemsonLIFE Program Fee: $10,000/$11,000/$16,000
• Internship Fee: $200
• Nursing Testing Fee: $150/$200
• Clemson University Spectrum Program (CUSP) Fee: $500/$1,500/$3,000
• Performing Arts Fee: $350
• Fraternity/Sorority Life Fee: $70
• Geology Field Camp: $1,000
• Study Abroad Academic Fee: $7,219

Part-Time or Per-Credit Costs

If you enroll part-time (fewer than 12 credits), Clemson charges per credit hour plus applicable semester fees:[9]

• Resident: $630 per credit hour with a listed $654 total-per-credit figure that includes some fees like activity or library fees.
• Non-resident: $1,782 per credit hour, a total of $1,806 with total-per-credit fees added.

Financial Aid for Clemson University

The “sticker price” may not be what you pay. Clemson packages federal, state, and institutional aid, especially for South Carolina residents.[10]

• Palmetto Fellows: State’s premier scholarship valued at $6,700 for the first year and $7,500 for subsequent years.
• LIFE Scholarship: Academic-based scholarship valued at $5,000.
• HOPE Scholarship: Nonrenewable, academic scholarship valued at $2,800.

The university has named and first-year recruiting scholarships as well:[11]

• James W. and Margaret Grainger Clark Scholarship Trust Fund
• Staff Senate Endowed Scholarships
• Olivia Jackson McGee Endowed Scholarship
• Pierce-Elizabeth Rogers Scholarship
• The Aldridge Family Scholarship
• Major Julian Delano Dusenbury Presidential Scholarship
• James Conklin Companion Annual Scholarship
• National Scholars
• Breakthrough Scholars
• Clemson Scholars
• National Merit Scholarship
• Lyceum Scholars
• The Clemson Meeting Street Pledge
• Clemson Career Workshop
• Call Me MISTER
• Emerging Scholars

Planning can make all the difference:

• Submit the FAFSA to see your options for federal need-based grants like the Federal Pell Grant, loans, and work-study programs.[12]
• Review Clemson’s state program pages for merit-based scholarship pathways like LIFE and HOPE.
• Explore the first-year recruiting scholarships and named scholarships.
• Compare your financial aid offer against the cost of tuition to estimate your net costs.

How to Manage Clemson Costs

There are several ways you can reduce Clemson costs:

• Stack South Carolina merit aid through state-based scholarships, which can shave thousands off your expenses.
• Audit your major’s fees and understand the per-semester charges to budget in advance or compare costs for different schools.
• Use the Clemson Net Price Calculator to estimate your financial aid and out-of-pocket costs.
• The cost of attendance includes housing and meals in the total. Evaluate your options for different residence halls or smaller meal plans to save.
• Compare apples-to-apples budgets for different schools with the total cost of attendance, any fees for your program, and estimated aid or scholarships.

Prepare Your Application to Clemson University

If you’re interested in attending Clemson University, understanding the tuition, cost of attendance, and financial aid options is a crucial part of your planning. InGenius Prep college admissions counseling can help you present a competitive application and gain a competitive edge with merit-based scholarships. Schedule your free consultation today!