Clemson University Ranked Best in South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina, October 2, 2025

News Summary

Clemson University has made notable advancements in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, rising to become the best national and public university in South Carolina. Meanwhile, the University of South Carolina holds the second position. The rankings were determined through an evaluation of over 1,700 institutions across various quality factors. Clemson excels in several academic categories, demonstrating its commitment to quality education and student success.

Columbia, South Carolina – Clemson University has made significant strides in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, climbing three spots to become the best national and public university in South Carolina. In the 2026 edition of rankings, Clemson is now tied for No. 36 among all public schools in the nation and ranks No. 75 in the national universities category.

The University of South Carolina (USC) is ranked as the No. 2 college in South Carolina, placing No. 63 among top public schools and No. 127 in the national universities list. These findings come from an extensive evaluation of over 1,700 colleges and universities based on 17 quality factors, including graduation rates, borrower debt, peer assessment, faculty salaries, and standardized test performance.

Clemson University Rankings and Achievements

Clemson University is also distinguished for its exceptional programs and experiences. It ranks in the top 25 for several categories, including:

• Co/Op Internships – No. 4
• First-Year Experience – No. 9
• Most Innovative Schools – No. 4
• Best Undergraduate Teaching – No. 22

Additionally, individual programs at Clemson also achieved notable rankings:

• Industrial/Marketing Engineering Programs – No. 12
• Civil Engineering Programs – No. 21
• Undergraduate Nursing Programs – No. 2

The median salary for Clemson graduates six years after graduation stands at $58,311.

University of South Carolina Highlights

The University of South Carolina celebrates a major accomplishment with its international business program, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation. USC’s College of Nursing has also made significant improvements, climbing 17 spots to rank No. 22 nationally, which positions it in the top 3% of over 700 evaluated nursing schools. For the seventh consecutive year, USC’s first-year student experience is recognized as No. 1 among public institutions, underscoring its commitment to new students.

Moreover, USC’s Upstate campus is ranked No. 2 among public regional colleges in the South.

Enrollment and Financial Information

Clemson University boasts an undergraduate enrollment of 23,401 with an acceptance rate of 38% and a four-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost at Clemson, after financial aid, is estimated at $22,433 and features a student-faculty ratio of 16:1.

Meanwhile, USC has an undergraduate enrollment of 30,187 with a higher acceptance rate of 60% and a four-year graduation rate of 70%. The average in-state cost at USC, post-financial aid, is approximately $21,044, and it has a student-faculty ratio of 20:1.

Background Context

In addition to Clemson and USC, several other colleges in South Carolina have also been recognized in state rankings, including Furman University, Wofford College, Claflin University, and The Citadel, among others. Nationwide, the top-ranked schools include prestigious institutions like Princeton, MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, which lead the national universities category.

Conclusion

The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight the robust academic offerings at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, showcasing their continual commitment to providing quality education and nurturing successful graduates.

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Additional Resources

• Greenville Online: Best Colleges in South Carolina
• NCAA: AP Football Rankings
• WSPA: Forbes College Rankings
• Wikipedia: Clemson University
• Google Search: South Carolina Colleges Ranking

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