University of South Carolina Sumter

USC Sumter is located in the heart of the state, about 45 miles east of the capital of Columbia, South Carolina. USC Sumter became a University campus in 1973 and today has an enrollment of about 1,000 per academic year. USC Sumter confers two-year associate's degrees and offers baccalaureate degree programs in business through USC Aiken and education through USC Upstate. Palmetto College offers fourteen bachelors degrees that can be completed on the USC Sumter campus.

We offer students affordable tuition, as well as campus clubs and athletic opportunities, making USC Sumter a memorable college experience. Our faculty provides a solid academic foundation for all students, who prove their success at the next level every year.

The University of South Carolina Sumter, a regional campus of the University of South Carolina, has as its mission to provide higher education and intellectual leadership for its service area.

At the heart of this mission is a teaching faculty of high quality dedicated to excellence in instruction, scholarship, public and professional service, and creative endeavor which enrich the classroom experience. USC Sumter offers a varied curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and focused on preparing students to continue their education in the University and throughout life.

The University of South Carolina Sumter recruits students prepared to succeed in completing a baccalaureate-level education. While the institution does not offer remedial instruction, it is nonetheless able to admit most students who apply due to the close working relationship between students and faculty. Enrollment varies with community need, but is expected to remain at approximately 1200 students. The University of South Carolina Sumter was established to encourage higher education in the counties of Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw, Sumter, and Williamsburg. The original design of the institution incorporated a flexibility that has allowed changes in institutional capability with increasing educational demands of constituents.

The institution awards the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and provides for the completion of selected bachelor’s degrees on campus through cooperative agreements and delivery structures with other USC System institutions. USC Sumter also provides general education and upper division coursework applicable to baccalaureate degree programs offered through colleges and universities nationwide. In addition to academic coursework, the mission of the campus includes non-credit courses, seminars, and workshops made available to the community for cultural enrichment and professional development.

The traditions of cultural diversity and freedom of thought are valued at USC Sumter. In a learning environment that develops respect for racial, geographical, intellectual, and economic diversity and an awareness of individual, societal, and global responsibilities, USC Sumter promotes courses, activities, and attitudes which influence the life of the mind in men and women and instill in them a thirst to continue learning throughout life.

USC Sumter emphasizes the development of the whole person and especially seeks to foster in students the disciplines essential to an educated citizenry. Core competencies, including the ability to communicate through effective writing and articulate speech; computational and quantitative mastery; creative and critical thinking; and the duties of citizenship are strategically integrated within the curriculum. Classroom experiences, student activities, and physical education programs also provide opportunities for cultural enrichment, leadership development, intellectual growth and interpersonal relationships, all contributing to a sense of self-reliance and a joy of learning.

USC Sumter is dedicated to providing you with quality, life-long learning experiences that will provide the foundation for whatever you decide to do in the future. Our students have the option to stay here and finish their degree or transfer to other universities throughout the state and the country. Our student life activities, which include clubs and organizations, intramurals and service learning opportunities, will provide you with a holistic environment in which to pursue your goals.

In addition to student activities, we have on-campus art galleries, continuing education classes and summer camps for the community to enjoy. Community is at the heart of all that we do. We have an enormously talented and committed group of students, faculty and staff working in support of a strong sense of mission. But it takes partnerships to make any organization stronger and better. It is clear through the many partnerships that we have established that the members of our community thoroughly value USC Sumter as a place to work, teach and learn.

At USC Sumter, you’ll find a world of opportunities. You can get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or complete the first two years of higher education locally before transferring to another institution. In addition to regular enrollment, we offer dual enrollment, for high school students who are ready to get started.

We provide a quality education and we help you take advantage of everything we have to offer. Students come to USC Sumter to move forward. You can stay close to home or work for your first two years, then finish your degree online or on campus.

You can make it work. Your time is now. Whatever your educational goals, we can help you meet them. We offer a variety of programs and options, and we encourage you to explore and see how we can help you succeed.

There's always something going on around campus. Between studying for your classes, joining clubs and participating in both varsity and intramural sports, there's more going on here than you think. Our faculty and staff care deeply about you and your success. They are prepared to give you the support you need to excel while at USC Sumter.