Clemson

Clemson Drinking Water Report Info

Clemson University stands as one of the nation's premier public research institutions, serving a highly motivated and accomplished student body. Ranked 24th among national public universities by U.S. News and World Report, Clemson balances scientific and engineering excellence with exceptional quality of life. Founded in 1889, our commitment to world-class research remains strong, with 92% of seniors reporting they would choose Clemson again if given the opportunity.

Our retention and graduation rates rank among the highest nationally for public universities. Recent recognitions include being named among the best public college values by Kiplinger magazine (2017) and Princeton Review's "Colleges that pay you back" (2017).

The picturesque 1,400-acre campus nestles in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills along Hartwell Lake's shores. Beyond the main campus, our research facilities and economic development centers extend throughout South Carolina—in Greenville, Greenwood, Anderson, Columbia, and Charleston. Faculty and student initiatives drive economic development and improve quality of life statewide and beyond, with a recent study confirming Clemson's annual $1.9 billion economic impact on South Carolina.

The university's origins trace back to Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson, who shared lifelong interests in education, agriculture, and science. Following the Civil War in 1865, Thomas Clemson observed the devastated Southern economy, noting: "This country is in pitiful condition, no money and nothing to sell. Everyone is ruined, and those who can are leaving." His death on April 6, 1888, initiated the foundation of an educational institution dedicated to teaching scientific agriculture and mechanical arts to South Carolina's youth.

Clemson Agricultural College opened in July 1893 as an all-male military school with 446 students. It maintained this structure until transitioning to "civilian" status in 1955, when it also became coeducational. The institution was renamed Clemson University in 1964 when the state legislature formally acknowledged its expanded academic offerings and research focus.