For the seventh consecutive year, Clemson University’s Board of Trustees approved a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students, continuing a commitment to affordability helping South Carolina students and families plan for and invest in a Clemson education.
The action reflects Clemson’s focus on balancing affordability with the resources necessary to deliver an exceptional student experience, in addition to significant support for higher education from the South Carolina General Assembly.
“Families across South Carolina are making significant investments in their students’ futures, and Clemson University remains committed to doing its part to keep their investment within reach. Holding tuition steady for a seventh straight year reflects years of careful planning, responsible financial management and strong support from Governor Henry McMaster and members of the South Carolina General Assembly, whose partnership has helped make this commitment possible. Together, we are ensuring that a Clemson education continues to provide tremendous value for students and their families.”
Board Chair Kim Wilkerson
This continued tuition freeze builds on Clemson’s ongoing efforts to expand access and opportunity while maintaining academic programs, student support services and experiential learning opportunities.
With continued support from the State of South Carolina and a disciplined approach to budgeting and resource management, Clemson has been able to maintain tuition stability for in-state undergraduate students while continuing investments in programs and facilities to support student success.
The Board also approved a 3.5 percent increase in undergraduate out-of-state tuition for the 2026-27 academic year, a rate that remains below the projected 2026 Higher Education Price Index of 3.6 percent. Even with this adjustment, Clemson’s out-of-state tuition remains $1,580 below inflation-adjusted levels, while total student costs have increased at a slower pace than inflation.
Clemson continues to drive record demand, with Fall 2026 applications reaching an all-time high. Clemson also continues to deliver exceptional value for students and families, with a 94.1 percent first-year retention rate, an 87.5 percent six-year graduation rate, more than half of students graduating debt-free, and a strong return on investment reflected in the University’s statewide economic impact of $6.4 billion annually, resulting in 37,100 jobs statewide and generating $114.4M in annual state tax revenue.
CLEMSON AFFORDABILITY FACTS
- 97 percent of first-time, in-state students receive state scholarships.
- 75 percent of undergraduate students receive financial assistance, including state, federal and University awards.
- 82 percent of entering first-year students received some form of financial aid in 2024-2025.
- Named a Best Value College by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Money, SmartAsset and Niche.
- A majority of Clemson’s graduates (57 percent) have no student debt compared to the state (40 percent) and national (39 percent) averages.
- This marks the seventh consecutive year Clemson has frozen tuition for in-state students.
- The support of the General Assembly through increased tuition mitigation funding has allowed Clemson to freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for 2026-27.
- In Fall 2024, in-state first-year students paid an average of 37 percent of tuition and fees.
