I have a family member who wants to go to college in the Carolinas. From what I’m seeing, Clemson has really come a long way and is well-ranked in US News and has quite selective admissions.
Question: Clemson’s median SAT scores and US News ranking are about as high as anywhere in SC. So why would anyone go elsewhere in the state, unless other schools are cheaper? Specifically, why would someone pay MORE to go to another school in South Carolina when Clemson is about as good as anywhere?
USCarolina has a much broader range of programs for on thing.
Clemson’s Honors College is very well regarded but U South Carolina’s is even higher ranked. Also, it’s in a city rather than rural.
College of Charleston is also very well regarded, beautiful urban location, and smaller with less of a sports focus.
All three are very good public options but may appeal to different students for different reasons.
My son was accepted at Clemson including Calhoun Honors, Furman, Wofford, Winthrop,and the Honors College at the College of Charleston as a William Aiken Fellow. He chose CofC Honors. He preferred the urban setting , innovative programs offered including the Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community, smaller liberal arts focused community. He couldn’t be happier. Clemson was a close second .