The Campus of Clemson University is located in unincorporated Pickens County, South Carolina, adjacent to Clemson; the U.S. Census Bureau designates the campus as a census-designated place. - The blue-shaded pattern denotes university property. This shows Clemson University is outside of the Clemson city limits.

This campus was originally the site of U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun's plantation, named Fort Hill. The plantation passed to his daughter, Anna, and son-in-law, Thomas Green Clemson. On Clemson's death in 1888, he willed the land to the state of South Carolina for the creation of a public university.

The university was founded in 1889, and three buildings from the initial construction still exist today: Hardin Hall (built in 1890), Main Building (later renamed Tillman Hall) (1894), and Godfrey Hall (1898). Other periods of large expansion occurred in 1936–1938, when 8 new buildings constructed, and the late 1950s through 1970, when no fewer than 25 buildings were constructed, most in a similar architectural style.

The campus contains two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Clemson University Historic District I on the northern edge of campus, and the Clemson University Historic District II in the center of campus.

As the university is not in the City of Clemson corporate limits, the university does not have to abide by City of Clemson municipal ordinances nor receive permission to do any undertaking from the City of Clemson. The South Carolina General Assembly designated Clemson University as a "municipal corporation" in 1894.

Academic buildings Building Image Built Named for Notes Coordinates Ref Barre Hall 1976 Walter Barre, Professor of Agriculture (1907–1934) Houses the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences. Biosystems Research Complex 2004 Brackett Hall 1951 (addition, 1966; renovation, 1992) Richard Newman Brackett, Professor of Chemistry (1891–1937) Houses the Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology departments. Brooks Center for the Performing Arts 1994 Robert Howell Brooks (class of 1960) House the Department of Performing Arts Cook Engineering Laboratory 1965 James Clinton Cook, Jr., professor of mechanical engineering, 1948–68 Cooper Library 1966 Robert Muldrow Cooper, life member and president of the Board of Trustees, 1922–66 Daniel Hall 1968 David Wistar Daniel, professor of English, 1898–1947 Houses Communications, English, and Foreign Language departments. Earle Hall 1959 Samuel Broadus Earle, professor of engineering and President of Clemson Agricultural College 1919, 1924–1925 Houses the department of Chemical Engineering. Edwards Hall 1977 Robert Cook Edwards (class of 1933), President of Clemson University, 1958–1979 Houses the department of Nursing. Endocrine Physiology Laboratory Fluor Daniel Engineering Innovation Building (EIB) 1995 Alumni and friends at the Fluor Daniel Corporation Houses the Mechanical Engineering department. Freeman Hall 1926, renovated 1965 Edwin Jones Freeman, professor of industrial engineering, 1924–1961 Houses the department of Industrial Engineering. Godfrey Hall 1908, renovated 1987 W. E. Godfrey, professor of physics, 1919–1947 Godfrey Hall, originally named the Textile Building, currently serves as classroom and office space for the departments of Education and Graphic Communications. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP). Godley-Snell Research Center 1995 W. C. Godley (class of 1943), professor; and Absalom W. Snell (class of 1949), professor The Godley-Snell Research Center is the university's centralized animal research facility. Hardin Hall 1890; renovations 1900, 1937, 1946 & 2002 Mark Bernard Hardin, President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1897, 1899, 1902 Hardin Hall is the oldest academic building on campus. It was originally built as the Chemistry laboratory, it was expanded in 1900 and 1937, and has housed the Education department and administration offices. It currently houses the departments of History, Philosophy, and Religion. The building is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District II (NRHP). Holtzendorff Hall 1916 Preston Brooks Holtzendorff, athletic coach and General Secretary of the Clemson YMCA, 1919–1959 Holtzendorff Hall was built as a YMCA building with a grand from John D. Rockefeller. The Italian Renaissance Revival building, designed by Department of Architecture Chairman Rudolph E. Lee, heralded the style of many other early campus buildings. The interior has been extensively renovated, and now houses classrooms and offices for the General Engineering program. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP). Hunter Chemistry Laboratory 1987 Howard L. Hunter, professor of chemistry and dean, 1928–1969 Houses the department of Chemistry. Jordan Hall 1974 Frank Marshall Jordan (class of 1902) and his wife, Evelyn V. Jordan Kinard Laboratory of Physics 1961 Francis Marion Kinard, professor of English and dean, 1924–60 Houses the Physics department. Lee Hall 1958; addition 1968 Rudolph E. Lee (class of 1896), Professor of Drawing & Design, 1898–1948; Head of the Architecture Department, 1933–48; architect of many campus buildings Houses the Architecture department. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lehotsky Hall 1975 Koloman Lehotsky, professor of forestry and dean, 1956–69 Houses the departments of Forestry; Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management; and Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. Long Hall 1937 William Williams Long, director of Cooperative Extension Service, 1914–34 Long Hall was originally constructed for the Agriculture department. It was built on the former site of the university's cooperative extension service. It was designed in an Italianate style by Rudolph E. Lee. It is currently the home of the Biology department. The buildings is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP). Lowry Hall 1958 Walter L. Lowry, Jr., professor and dean, College of Engineering, 1949–61 Houses the Civil Engineering department. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Martin Hall 1962 Samuel Maner Martin, Professor of Mathematics, 1898–1948 Houses the Mathematics department. McAdams Hall 1950; renovations & additions: 1976, 2004 William N. McAdams (class of 1938), professor of agricultural engineering, 1939–59 Houses the Computer Science and Agricultural Sciences departments. Newman Hall 1959 J. S. Newman, professor of agriculture, 1892–1905; and Charles Carter Newman (class of 1898), professor of horticulture, 1899–1946 Houses the Packaging Science department. Olin Hall 1953 Franklin W. Olin, founder of the Olin Foundation Houses the Ceramic and Materials Engineering department. Poole Agricultural Center (P&A Building) 1955 Robert Franklin Poole, President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1940–58 Houses the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences. Rhodes Engineering Research Center 1968, annex 2009 Samuel R. Rhodes (class of 1907), first editor of The Tiger, Head of Electrical Engineering Dept., 1933–1954 Houses the Bioengineering department. Riggs Hall 1928 Walter Merritt Riggs, President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1910–24; professor of mechanical engineering and athletic coach, 1896–1909 Riggs Hall was built to replace Mechanical Hall, which burned in 1926. It was designed by Architecture department chairman Rudolph E. Lee. The departments of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering were the first tenants. Architecture and Civil Engineering moved into the new Structural Science Building in 1958, but Electrical and Mechanical Engineering are still located in the building. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District II (NRHP). Sirrine Hall 1938; renovated, 1978 Joseph E. Sirrine, life trustee of Clemson Agricultural College, 1928–47 Sirrine Hall was built to replace Godfrey Hall as the Textile building. It was one of 8 buildings built between 1936 and 1938, and designed by Rudolph E. Lee in an Italian Renaissance Revival style. The building housed the College of Business until the 2020–2021 school year. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District II (NRHP). 2009 Harris A. Smith Houses the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business (WAP Building) 2020 Wilbur O. and Ann Powers Houses the College of Business Tillman Hall 1892 Benjamin Ryan Tillman, Governor of South Carolina, 1890–95; United States Senator, 1895–1918; life trustee of Clemson Agricultural College, 1888–1918 Tillman Hall is the university's clock tower and signature building. It was designed by Atlanta architects Bruce & Morgan, also responsible for other university buildings around the South. The building featured the first library, many classrooms and laboratories, and a chapel. Originally known as the Main Building, it was named for Trustee Tillman by the board of trustees in July 1946.The Tiger, Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina, 12 July 1946, page 1. Today, it houses the Education department and an auditorium. Along with Godfrey Hall and Hardin Hall, it is one of the few remaining buildings from the first phase of construction on campus. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP).

Administrative buildings Building Image Built Named for Notes Coordinates Ref Class of 1944 Alumni Center 1972 Class of 1944 The Alumni Center was a donation of the Class of 1944, and currently houses the visitors center and offices. Mell Hall 1940 Patrick Hues Mell, Jr., President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1902–10 Mell Hall was built as a post office to serve the university and the town of Clemson. After separate post offices were built in 1973, the building became part of the university. Today, it houses offices for the university housing department. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP). Strode Tower 1969 Henry Aubrey Strode, first President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1890–93 Houses offices for the English, Foreign Language, and Communication departments. Sikes Hall 1904, rebuilt after fire, 1927 Enoch Walter Sikes, President of Clemson Agricultural College, 1925–40 Sikes Hall was built when the Agriculture department outgrew its space in Tillman Hall. Situated at the original entrance to John C. Calhoun's Fort Hill Plantation, the building was designed by Rudolph E. Lee, and modeled after the Library of Congress Building. After a fire in 1924, it was remodeled into a library. Today, Sikes is the main administration building. It is a contributing property to the Clemson University Historic District I (NRHP).

Residential buildings

Bryan Mall, "The Horseshoe" Building Image Built Named for Notes Coordinates Ref Barnett Hall 1965 W. D. Barnett (class of 1910), Trustee, 1920–32 and 1935–40; president of alumni association, 1934–36 Originally named "East Campus Dormitory #2". Byrnes Hall 1970 James F. Byrnes, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1941–42; Secretary of State, 1945–47; Governor of South Carolina, 1951–55; Life Trustee, 1941–72 Lever Hall 1968 Asbury Francis Lever, Life Trustee, 1913–40 Manning Hall 1967 Richard I. Manning III, Governor of South Carolina, 1915–19; Life Trustee, 1909–31 Mauldin Hall 1963 William H. Mauldin, Trustee, 1894–1900; and Ivy M. Mauldin, Trustee, 1906–27 Originally named "East Campus Dormitory #1". Smith Hall 1972 Winchester C. Smith, Jr., Life Trustee, 1954–72 Originally named "East Campus Dormitory #3".

The Shoeboxes