Clemson University vs University of Georgia
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Clemson University and University of Georgia are closely matched on financial return. Clemson University scores 86/100 while University of Georgia scores 88/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Georgia comes in at $13,936 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $8,317 annually, or roughly $33,268 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Clemson University graduates earn a median of $71,513 compared to $68,726 at University of Georgia. The payback period is 6.3 years at Clemson University versus 5.8 years at University of Georgia.
Graduates leave University of Georgia with a median $18,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Clemson University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.41 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Clemson University | University of Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,554 | $11,450 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,866 | $31,688 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,253 | $13,936 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,012 | $55,744 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,100 | $45,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,513 | $68,726 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.6% | 89.7% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 5.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.41 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 75.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 82.2% | 70.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 38.3% | 37.7% |
| Enrollment | 23,300 | 32,137 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1410 | 1270-1480 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Clemson University | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,607 | $8,085 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,109 | $8,686 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,851 | $13,096 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,833 | $16,942 |
| $110,001+ | $27,922 | $18,079 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Clemson University | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $102,762 | $99,739 |
| Electrical Engineering | $96,446 | $98,280 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $91,269 | $97,364 |
| Accounting | $84,458 | $93,260 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,028 | $88,366 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,873 | $87,684 |
| Marketing | $81,109 | $85,785 |
| Mathematics | $82,450 | $65,436 |
| Economics | $79,468 | $82,438 |
| Environmental Engineering | $81,714 | $81,604 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $81,526 | $37,864 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,059 | $80,881 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $67,050 | $75,921 |
| Landscape Architecture | $65,469 | $74,983 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $71,968 | $74,531 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Clemson University | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 93 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 90 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 86 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 56 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 88 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Georgia edges out Clemson University by 2 points (88 vs 86), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Clemson University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Georgia
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.