University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina (USC, South Carolina, or Carolina) is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina. It is the flagship of the University of South Carolina System and the largest university in the state by enrollment. Its main campus is on over 359 acres (145 ha) in downtown Columbia, close to the South Carolina State House. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities with Highest Research Activity".[6] It houses the largest collection of Robert Burns and Scottish literature materials outside Scotland and the world's largest Ernest Hemingway collection.
This article is about the University of South Carolina's campus in Columbia. For other campuses in South Carolina's state university system, see University of South Carolina System.
Former names
"Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel" (Ovid)
December 19, 1801
$989 million (2021)[3]
Donna K. Arnett
1,604
35,364 (Columbia)
52,633 (System-wide)[4]
Midsize City, 359 acres (145 ha)
Garnet and black[5]
Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, USC now offers more than 350 programs of study, leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. The university system has a total enrollment of approximately 52,000 students, with over 35,000 on the Columbia research campus as of fall 2019, making it the largest university in South Carolina. Professional schools on the Columbia campus include business, engineering, law, medicine, pharmacy, and social work.
Stephen K. Benjamin, BA 1991 and JD 1994, 36th mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, Senior Advisor to the President
Andrew Card, BS 1971, U.S. Secretary of Transportation under George H. W. Bush, White House Chief of Staff under George W. Bush
Alex Molinaroli, President and CEO of Johnson Controls, BS EE 1983, member of Interstate Batteries Board of Directors
William Timmons, MA, JD, current U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district
The Capstone Building
Flowers in front of Thomas Cooper Library
The fountain and pond in front of Thomas Cooper Library
