Why Claflin?

If you are asking yourself "why Claflin," click below:

U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2025 Rankings
Claflin University At-A-Glance
Virtual Tour
Points of Pride
Claflin University Value Proposition Statement
Claflin University: A Brief Historical Reference
At-A-Glance Stats
Claflin University President's Report 2019-2024
Claflin University Economic Impact Report

A Claflin Education:

More than a means to a degree

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This institution will help define not just what you do, but also who you become. Your Claflin education will provide a wealth of rich experiences to draw from, both academically and personally, on your way to becoming a leader and a visionary. With a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and a close-knit community that’s described as a family, you will enjoy rewarding relationships with faculty and your peers, and the bonds that you create will last a lifetime.
Broaden your frame of reference

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Our campus is in South Carolina, but our perspective is global. As evidenced by a student body that hails from 24 states and 18 countries, we prize diversity in all its forms. Our educational philosophy embraces community service, undergraduate research, experiential learning and enrichment programs like Study Abroad, allowing you to stretch your boundaries in ways a classroom setting alone never could.
A wise investment

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It’s no surprise to anyone who knows us that, year after year, U.S. News and World Report names Claflin among the top ten HBCUs in the nation. With a strong focus on innovation, leadership and student success, Claflin is synonymous with outstanding preparation for 21st century careers or advanced studies. At the same time, we emphasize value by keeping our tuition as affordable as possible and helping students unearth every option for financial aid.
The perfect place from which to launch your career. And your life.

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You’ll hear a great deal about “Claflin Confidence”. It’s hard to define, but you’ll know it when you see it – as will future colleagues and employers. It’s about independence and self-reliance. It’s about thinking critically and analytically, acting ethically and getting in touch with your inner visionary. Claflin Confidence is the result of the years you spend here being challenged to aim higher than you could imagine and being mentored along your journey.
Makes you part of something historic, yet enduring

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Dating back to 1869, Claflin’s were the first doors of higher education opened to African-Americans in the state of South Carolina. 155 years later, our scope and mission are bigger, but we remain an institution of inclusion and innovation. As a Claflin undergraduate, you will be following in the footsteps of generations of men and women who were the leaders, achievers and visionaries of their time.

5 Elements of Visionary Leadership

Fulfilling our mission of educating visionaries with a global perspective involves the development of five key competencies:

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Leadership

Envision innovative solutions and possess knowledge and skills that can bring about change

Intellect

Master complex concepts and skill sets, conduct original research, and integrate principles from a diverse range of ideas.

Creativity

Develop foresight, resourcefulness, and innovative problem-solving.

Service

Maintain a strong commitment to the community, both locally and globally, with a desire to improve the human condition and serve others.

Activism

Become an agent of change by learning strategies to truly make an impact in the world.

U.S. News & World Report ranked us as one of "America’s Best Colleges" for 12 consecutive years, #1 in the South among 80 schools nationally for our “Strong Commitment to Teaching,” #2 in Annual Alumni Giving (36%) among Top Tier Colleges in the South and #1 among HBCUs, and calls us the #1 best college value
Forbes.com named us the top HBCU in the U.S., among the top 4% of all colleges and universities in the country, and ranked us in the top third of the nation’s colleges and universities as a “Best College Buy”
Washington Monthly lists us as the #10 overall baccalaureate college or university
Consumer Digest selected us as the #3 best value among top private colleges and universities nationally
Chronicle of Higher Education ranked us #2 for retention rate among very selective HBCUs
For the sixth consecutive year, Claflin was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll – the highest award a university can receive for its service efforts
HBCU Digest - HBCU of the Year, 2015
Forbes.com America's Best Colleges
Washington Monthly 2015 Best Colleges; Best Bang for Your Buck
Washington Monthly 2015 Best Colleges; Best Liberal Arts Colleges

Claflin By the Numbers

2,200

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Claflin's all-time high enrollment of students

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43

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Claflin students, faculty and staff hail from 43 countries

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83 percent

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Claflin faculty holding terminal degrees in their fields

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11

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Claflin Panther teams in the CIAA and the NCAA Division II

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37/4/7

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37 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate degrees and 7 online degrees

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14:1

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Student to faculty ratio

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Why Claflin is right for you

Support the next generation of Claflin Leaders

Your support provides educational enrichment through student scholarships, loan funds, instructional classroom equipment, preparing Claflin's students to be leaders of the future.

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