Is Clemson test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1320 and hold it if it's under.

What is Clemson's acceptance rate?

38% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 23,586 of 61,517 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 175%, from 22,396 in 2015 to 61,517 in 2024, and Clemson's admit rate went from 51% to 38%.

What ACT score do you need for Clemson?

20% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 28–32, with a median of 31. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1250–1400 works out to about 26–31.

Why might Clemson's SAT range look high?

Only 35% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

How many students get off the waitlist at Clemson?

112 of the 3,598 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 3.1%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Clemson? (Middle 50%: 1250–1400)

First-year students at Clemson who sent an SAT scored 1250–1400, with a median of 1320 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Clemson admits 38% of applicants and is test optional.

Clemson University · Clemson, SC

Where your score lands at Clemson

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1250–1400, median 1320

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Clemson is for you and whether to send your score.

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Clemson by the numbers

Admit rate: 38%
Middle 50% SAT: 1250–1400
Median SAT: 1320
About on the ACT: 26–31
Sent an SAT: 35%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Clemson admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Clemson admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 175%, from 22,396 in 2015 to 61,517 in 2024, and Clemson's admit rate went from 51% to 38%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	61,517	23,586	38%
2023	60,122	22,879	38%
2022	52,819	22,704	43%
2021	47,007	23,138	49%
2020	28,600	17,715	62%
2019	29,070	14,900	51%
2018	28,845	13,613	47%
2017	26,242	12,380	47%
2016	23,506	11,881	51%
2015	22,396	11,483	51%

In fall 2024, 4,880 of the 23,586 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Clemson

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1200Far reachHold
1200–1240ReachHold
1250–1310TargetHold
1320 and upTargetSend

11001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

Clemson SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	620	660	710
SAT Reading and Writing	620	660	700
SAT total	1250	1320	1400
ACT composite	28	31	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 35% sent an SAT and 20% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Top 10% of their class: 55%; of new students who reported a rank

Clemson waitlist

Waitlist

11,102 applicants were offered a spot, 3,598 took it, and 112 were admitted from it.

3.1%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Clemson cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $22,253; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 87%
Median earnings: $71,513; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 24,916

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Clemson

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in South Carolina

Every college for an SAT of1250 1320 1400

Sources

Clemson Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Clemson admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
Clemson website
Clemson University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1250–1400, and the median was 1320. At 1320 or higher you're above half of them. Clemson admits 38% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$