Acceptance Rate
65%
Avg. SAT
1060
75th percentile
“Claflin University fosters tight-knit learning in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with deep roots in educating future teachers and performers.”
Orangeburg, SC
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Founded in 1869 by the Freedmen's Bureau and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Claflin carries a legacy as one of South Carolina's oldest private universities, emphasizing access to higher education from its earliest days. Students who thrive here often seek a supportive, close-knit environment where professors know them by name and the community feels like family. The school's personality reflects a blend of historic pride and forward momentum, set on a compact 113-acre campus in quiet Orangeburg, a small city of about 13,000 that offers low-cost living but few big-city distractions.
You'll find the surrounding area rural and affordable, with easy drives to Columbia for more options, though daily life revolves around campus events. Tradeoffs include a slower pace that suits focused students but might leave those craving urban energy restless, and limited off-campus entertainment beyond local spots.
Photo Gallery
+8
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Claflin centers on a liberal arts core with standout programs in teacher education, business administration, and fine arts, where you'll dive into hands-on projects like student teaching placements or music ensemble performances. Classrooms buzz with discussion in smaller settings, fostering direct access to faculty who mentor beyond office hours, though introductory courses in high-demand fields like nursing fill quickly. Research opportunities emerge through honors projects and partnerships, but the focus stays on undergraduate teaching over large-scale labs.
The intellectual culture encourages well-rounded growth, with requirements in humanities and sciences alongside majors, yet competitive spots in select programs mean early planning pays off.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,731 undergrad • 121 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
1%
Black / African American
89%
Hispanic / Latino
1%
Asian
<1%
Other / Multi-racial
9%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Orangeburg, SC
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with the Claflin Marching Tigers band performances and choir concerts that draw crowds, alongside Greek organizations and homecoming parades that unite the roughly 2,000 undergraduates. A typical week mixes classes, club meetings—think debate team or service groups—and weekend gatherings in residence halls, where about 80% of students live. Traditions like the annual Fine Arts Festival showcase student talent, creating a vibrant yet contained social scene.
Housing clusters freshmen together for easy bonds, but the small-town setting means parties stay mellow and weather brings hot, humid summers that test outdoor plans. Orangeburg's low cost of living helps stretch budgets, though venturing out requires a car for variety.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$19,180
$30K – $48K
$19,286
$48K – $75K
$22,590
$75K – $110K
$24,546
$110K+
$25,737
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
75%
4 Years Graduation Rate
48%
6 Years Graduation Rate
58%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$40,304
75% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Claflin University and return in the fall. 48% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 58% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
48%
4-6 years
10%
Non-grad
42%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$16,476
Acceptance
65%
Undergrads
1,731
4-Year Grad Rate
48%
Endowment
$48M
Orangeburg, SC 29115-4498