Institutional Profile
Type of University: A national student-centered, career-oriented four-year, co-educational, residential Liberal Arts University affiliated with The United Methodist Church.
History: Founded in 1869, Claflin University is the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina. It is also the first institution of higher education to welcome all students regardless of race, gender, religious or ethnic origin. Vision: Claflin University will be recognized as one of the premier undergraduate teaching and research universities in the world that prepares engaged visionary leaders with global perspectives.
Location: Claflin University’s historic 50-acre campus is located in Orangeburg, S. C., which is about 40 miles south of the state’s capital city of Columbia.
Faculty: The University has 119 full-time faculty with 82 percent holding terminal degrees.
Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Academic Year: Consists of fall and spring semesters and one summer session.
Enrollment: The University enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all regions of the United States and 12 countries.
Academic Programs: The University offers a broad-based education in liberal arts, sciences, and professional education. The School of Education, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Business and School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics comprise the undergraduate programs. The University also provides educational opportunities for non-traditional students through its Center of Professional and Continuing Studies. The University also offers master’s degrees in business administration (MBA) and biotechnology. Claflin Online offers undergraduate degrees in organizational management and criminal justice and master’s degrees in business administration (MBA) and education (MEd). The university also offers a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) hybrid program.
Cost: (2022-2023): Room and Board (Undergraduate) - $9632-$11,950;
Undergraduate: $687 per credit hour; Graduate: $562-$608 per credit hour; Online: $562 per credit hour; Professional and Continuing Studies: $459-$562
Financial Aid: Ninety-three percent of full-time students attending Claflin receive some form of financial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans and work study programs are available based on eligibility. (Fiscal year: 2020 -2021)
Student Services: The University provides comprehensive programs in health, leadership development, career counseling and job placement. Students are also heavily engaged in community service and service learning initiatives, and may participate in a number of campus organizations.
ROTC: Claflin University offers Air Force and Army ROTC programs through a cross enrollment agreement with South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina.
Intercollegiate Athletics: Intercollegiate Athletics: The University holds membership in NCAA Division II and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Men’s teams include basketball, track and field and cross country; women’s teams include basketball, softball, volleyball, track and field and cross country. The university also holds associate membership in the Peach Belt Conference.
Last Updated: April 2023