• An older man wearing a suit is surrounded by younger students. They are all dressed nicely in suits and dresses and are smiling with admiration at the older man and appear to be asking him questions.
  • Four women sit together in a library. They are looking at books and engaged in what looks like an animated discussion. Other students can be seen checking out books in the background.
  • A large white building with a brick sign that reads "South Carolina State University"

    The Economic Impact of South Carolina’s HBCUs

    UNCF’s holistic, powerful study, “Transforming Futures: The Economic Engine of HBCUs,” makes it clear: HBCUs are economic engines in their South Carolina communities and beyond, generating substantial economic returns year after year.

    HBCU faculty, employees and students produce—and consume—a wide range of goods and services, creating economic activity on and beyond campus. The result? More jobs, stronger growth and increasingly vibrant communities. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s workforce is bolstered by a steady supply of highly trained and success-oriented HBCU graduates.

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    Download South Carolina’s HBCU Factsheet

    South Carolina’s 8 HBCUs Produce:

    • $424M
      Total Economic Impact
    • 4,402
      Jobs
    • $3.9B
      Lifetime Earnings of 2021 Graduates

    HBCUs in South Carolina

    Selecting a school from this dropdown will change the active tab below.

    Four women sit together in a library. They are looking at books and engaged in what looks like an animated discussion. Other students can be seen checking out books in the background.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Allen University

    Founded in 1870 in Columbia, South Carolina, Allen University (AU) is a private liberal arts institution and a HBCU, acknowledged as the first in South Carolina to be founded by African Americans for the education of African Americans. AU offers offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in mathematics and natural sciences, business education and social sciences, arts and humanities, and religion.

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    UNCF-Member Institution

    Benedict College

    Founded in 1870 in Columbia, South Carolina, Benedict College (Benedict), is located on the grounds of a former 110-acre plantation. Benedict offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in STEM, cyber security, mass communication, sport management, business administration, engineering, computer science, biology and education.

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    UNCF-Member Institution

    Claflin University

    Founded in 1869 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Claflin University (Claflin) is the oldest HBCU in South Carolina. Claflin is a private liberal arts university that provides a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in education, humanities and social sciences, and natural sciences and mathematics.

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    Clinton College

    Founded in 1894 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Clinton College (Clinton) was established by during reconstruction years. Clinton offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in education, business and leadership and science and technology.

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    Denmark Technical College

    Founded in 1947 in Denmark, South Carolina, Denmark Technical College (DTC) operated under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Education with a mandate to educate Black citizens in a variety of trades. DTC has evolved into a comprehensive two-year college, offering a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in arts and sciences, and education, business and public services, industrial and related technologies and workforce and nursing.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Morris College

    Founded in 1881 in Atlanta, Georgia, Morris College (MoCo) offers a liberal arts education. MoCO a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in African American culture and history.

    South Carolina State University

    Founded in 1896 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, South Carolina State University (SC State) is South Carolina’s only public HBCU. SC State offers offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in business, military service, government, athletics, medicine, engineering and the arts.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Voorhees University

    Founded in 1897 in Denmark, South Carolina, Voorhees University (Voorhees) was the first HBCU in South Carolina accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Voorhees offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, computer science, sociology, english, health and recreation, mathematics, mass communication and organizational management.