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Student Financial Aid

Estimated Cost of Attendance 

The estimated cost of attendance is used to determine the maximum financial aid available based on student classification. The tables below provide the average annual cost to attend Clemson and should only be used for planning purposes.  

Estimated Budget for Full-time Students  

The amounts listed below are standard figures used for budgeting purposes and eligibility for need-based financial aid for the academic year. Your actual bill will differ from these estimates. Please note that tuition and fees, housing (for on-campus residents) and food (for students with meal plans) are the only costs paid directly to Clemson University. Books, course materials, supplies, transportation and personal costs are estimates and will vary for each student. 

a student sits at a table doing class work

South Carolina Resident Cost of Attendance  

Type of Cost Undergrad
On or Off
Campus		 Undergrad
Commuter(1)		 Graduate
Tier 1		 Graduate
Tier 2		 Graduate
Tier 3		 Graduate
Assistants
Tuition $14,038 $14,038 $13,222 $11,220 $9,706 $650
Fees(2) $1,516 $1,516 $1,426 $1,426 $1,426 $1,188
Major Enrichment(2) $0 - $2,500 $0 - $2,500

Books, Supplies & Course Materials

 $1,456 $1,456 $1,098 $1,098 $1,098 $1,098
Housing(3) $8,208 $1,858 $9,888 $9,420 $9,888 $9,888
Food(4) $5,076 $1,858 $3,956 $3,956 $3,956 $3,956
Transportation $1,230 $3,238 $1,642 $1,642 $1,642 $1,642
Personal $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222
Loan Fees(5) $68 $68 $160 $160 $160 $160
TOTAL $35,814 $28,254 $35,614 $33,612 $32,098 $22,804
TOTAL with Laptop(6) $38,508 $30,948



Non-South Carolina Resident Cost of Attendance  

Type of Cost Undergrad
On or Off
Campus		 Undergrad
Commuter(1)		 Graduate
Tier 1		 Graduate
Tier 2		 Graduate
Tier 3		 Graduate
Assistants
Tuition $39,350 $39,350 $28,562 $23,372 $20,128 $650
Fees(2) $1,516 $1,516 $1,426 $1,426 $1,426 $1,188
Major Enrichment(2) $0 - $2,500 $0 - $2,500
Books, Supplies & Course Materials $1,456 $1,456 $1,098 $1,098 $1,098 $1,098
Housing(3) $8,208 $1,858 $9,888 $9,888 $9,888 $9,888
Food(4) $5,076 $1,858 $3,956 $3,956 $3,956 $3,956
Transportation $1,230 $3,238 $1,642 $1,642 $1,642 $1,642
Personal $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222 $4,222
Loan Fees(5) $68 $68 $160 $160 $160 $160
TOTAL $61,126 $53,566 $50,954 $45,764 $42,520 $22,804
TOTAL with Laptop(6) $63,820 $56,260
 
Chart Notes
  1. A commuter is a dependent student who lives at home with parents (per HEA of 1986). Living expenses are based on the Parents' Income Protection Allowance. 
  2. Mandatory fees required for all full-time students and average lab fees. This does NOT include major enrichment fees, which range from $0-$2,500.
  3. Projected average dormitory cost is in the first column. This matches very closely to off-campus cost of living estimates from College Board.
  4. Projected cost of an unlimited access meal plan is in the first column. This matches very closely to the off-campus cost of living estimates from College Board.
  5. Average federal loan fees for Direct Loan borrowers (if applicable).
  6. The laptop cost offers an estimated allowance for a computer for all entering first-year students that is based on an average of recommended models. 
  • How Budgets Charts Are Created
    How Chart Budgets are Created

    Updated 7/18/2022 

    Budgets are based on a two-semester academic year (Fall and Spring): 

    1. Tuition is based on the average costs for full-time enrollment. 

    2. Fees include all required charges for full-time enrollment plus average lab fees. This figure does not include differential fees, such as college-specific fees, nor does it include optional fees, such as parking and the Clemson University Honors College. See the explanation of fees (PDF).

    Select the colleges below for Major-Specific Academic and Enrichment Fees: 

    1. Books, Course Materials, and Supplies figures are based on surveys of student expenses for books and required coursework material for all majors. Estimated expenses by major can vary.

    2. Housing figures quoted in the first column show the average bed cost for on-campus housing. Visit Clemson Home for individual charges.

    3. The food figure in the first column is based on the charge for Unlimited Access to on-campus dining facilities for undergraduate students. Visit Clemson Home for information on available meal plans.

    4. For commuters, the transportation figure estimates the cost of driving to campus daily. For on-campus residents, this figure allows for several round trips to home per year.
    5. Personal expenses are calculated by the College Board regarding expenses for laundry, toiletries, entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses.
    6. Loan fees are based on the average loan fee paid by borrowers in the prior academic year.
    7. The laptop cost offers an estimated allowance for a computer for all entering first-year students that is based on an average of recommended models. 

     

    (Note from survey data: Housing, food, transportation and personal expenses for students living in on-campus housing and for students living in off-campus housing without parents average the same amount.) 

Additional Cost and Payment information 

Direct costs for tuition, fees, housing, food, payment plans and further billing information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Services website.