Clemson University vs Mizzou

Clemson University and University of Missouri-Columbia, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Clemson, nestled in the vibrant city of Clemson, South Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its selectivity. Its student body is predominantly White, with a significant international presence. In contrast, the University of Missouri-Columbia, located in the heart of Columbia, Missouri, has a higher acceptance rate, reflecting its commitment to accessibility. Its student body is more diverse, with a larger proportion of African American and Hispanic students. While Clemson excels in engineering and agriculture, Missouri-Columbia shines in journalism and education. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Clemson University	University of Missouri-Columbia
Overview
Location	Clemson, South Carolina	Columbia, Missouri
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	49.2%	76.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $80	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1220 - 1420	1130 - 1350
ACT range	27 - 32	23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	72.0%
Total number of applicants	47,007	19,966
Total number of admissions given out	23,138	15,283
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,593	4,843
Yield rate	19.9%	31.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,164 Out of state: $57,156	In state: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952
Average net price	$23,732	$18,249
Tuition	In state: $14,118 Out of state: $37,110	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,808 Meal plan: $4,426	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $9,699	85.0% Average amount $11,312
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,281	36.0% Average amount $5,270
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,664	8.0% Average amount $16,554

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,653 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	5,688 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	48.4%	31.0%
International students	4.8%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	7,800	6,898
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Health Professions Agriculture	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	85.5%	72.5%
Dropout rate	2.3%	26.8%
Transferred out	11.3%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,776 Year 2: $90,762 Year 3: $98,373 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,762 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $82,921 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,898 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $80,104 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,368 Year 2: $74,721 Year 3: $78,362 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,182 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $76,236 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,048 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,070 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,632 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $74,017 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,398 Year 2: $66,673 Year 3: $73,905 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,136 Year 2: $66,206 Year 3: $73,720 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,228 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,643	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,333 Year 2: $100,008 Year 3: $104,573 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,087 Year 2: $80,628 Year 3: $96,108 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $93,226 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,803 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,805 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,511 Year 2: $81,210 Year 3: $81,536 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,866 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $79,864 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,424 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,907 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $78,960 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,579 Year 2: $69,897 Year 3: $78,050 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,571 Year 2: $66,004 Year 3: $74,926

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Clemson University and the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou)?

Clemson University, located in South Carolina, is known for its strong engineering, agriculture, and business programs, and has a more close-knit, spirited campus culture. The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), situated in Missouri, is a large public research university with a broader range of academic programs, including a renowned journalism school, and a more diverse student body. Clemson tends to have a stronger focus on STEM fields, while Mizzou offers more comprehensive liberal arts and professional programs.
Which university is larger: Clemson or Mizzou?

The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) is significantly larger than Clemson University. Mizzou has a larger undergraduate and graduate student population, as well as a larger campus size.
How do the academic reputations of Clemson and Mizzou compare?

Both Clemson and Mizzou are respected public universities. Clemson is particularly well-regarded for its engineering, computing, and agriculture programs, often ranking highly in these fields. Mizzou is known for its journalism school, as well as its strong programs in business, law, and medicine. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but their areas of specific strength differ.
What is the campus culture like at Clemson versus Mizzou?

Clemson has a reputation for a strong sense of community and school spirit, often described as a 'family' atmosphere. Football is a major part of the Clemson experience. Mizzou, being a larger university, offers a more diverse range of campus cultures and activities. While school spirit is present, it's not as singularly focused on athletics as it is at Clemson. Mizzou provides a wider array of student organizations and social opportunities.
How do the costs of attending Clemson and Mizzou compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, tuition and fees at Mizzou are lower for in-state residents compared to Clemson for out-of-state residents. However, for out-of-state students, Clemson and Mizzou's tuition costs are relatively comparable. It's best to check the universities' official websites for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and to consider the cost of living in South Carolina versus Missouri.
What are the surrounding cities like near Clemson and Mizzou?

Clemson is located in a smaller, more rural setting in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding area offers outdoor recreational opportunities. Columbia, South Carolina, is about a 2-hour drive away. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri, a larger college town with a more diverse range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Columbia, MO, offers a more urban experience compared to Clemson's more rural setting.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Clemson University is generally considered to have a stronger and more highly ranked engineering program compared to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Clemson's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences is a major focus of the university.
Which university is better for journalism and communications programs?

The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) is renowned for its School of Journalism, which is one of the oldest and most respected journalism schools in the United States. While Clemson offers communication programs, Mizzou's journalism school has a significantly stronger national reputation.
What are the athletic programs like at Clemson and Mizzou?

Both Clemson and Mizzou are NCAA Division I schools with competitive athletic programs. Clemson is particularly known for its football program, which has achieved national prominence. Mizzou competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), offering a wide range of varsity sports. Both universities have passionate fan bases and offer a vibrant athletic atmosphere.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare at Clemson and Mizzou?

Both Clemson and Mizzou offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. Mizzou, being located in a larger city and having a broader range of academic programs, may offer a wider variety of internship opportunities across different industries. Clemson's strong industry connections, particularly in engineering and manufacturing, provide excellent internship and job prospects for students in those fields. The best choice depends on your specific field of study and career goals.

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