“South Carolina's premier private HBCU — founded 1869 to educate freedmen, today a top-35 social mobility liberal arts college.”
Claflin University is a private, historically Black liberal arts university founded in 1869 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, established by northern missionaries to provide higher education for freedmen and their children following the American Civil War. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church and one of the oldest HBCUs in the United States, Claflin combines its 156-year heritage of educating Black leaders with a contemporary commitment to academic excellence, social mobility, and community service. With approximately 1,731 undergraduates and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Claflin offers a rigorous liberal arts education recognized as one of the top HBCUs in the country. Claflin is ranked #33 nationally for Top Performers on Social Mobility (Liberal Arts Colleges) by US News in 2026, reflecting the university's foundational mission of expanding educational access. The curriculum spans the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, and education, with strong programs in biology and pre-health, business administration, education, computer science, and the arts. Claflin's relatively affordable tuition (just $17,046 in 2025-2026 — significantly lower than most private LACs) combined with strong financial aid keeps the average net price at $19,951 for federal loan recipients. Campus life at Claflin centers on the Panthers community in NCAA Division II athletics, robust HBCU traditions, and a tight-knit residential campus. Students live in residence halls and apartments, with extensive opportunities for involvement in Greek life (with the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities), cultural organizations, and community service. The orange and maroon Panthers spirit defines campus identity. With a strong tradition of producing graduates who lead in healthcare, education, business, and social sectors, Claflin offers a distinctive liberal arts experience grounded in HBCU heritage and Christian Methodist values.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Social Mobility — Liberal Arts Colleges
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceSpring Admission
Spring semester start
Fall Admission
Rolling admissions for fall semester
International Priority
International student priority deadline
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$17,046
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Strong programs in biology, chemistry, and pre-health pathways with strong placement to medical and dental schools.
Practical business education preparing students for leadership roles in the broader Southeast economy.
Programs in literature, history, mass communication, psychology, and political science.
Comprehensive teacher preparation with K-12 licensure pathways and HBCU-aligned curriculum.
Programs in music, theatre, art, and dance reflecting Claflin's strong artistic tradition.
4 years
One of Claflin's strongest programs with high acceptance rates to medical, dental, and pharmacy programs. Health Professions graduates earn the highest at $65,862 median.
4 years
Comprehensive business education preparing students for careers in Charleston, Columbia, and the broader Southeast business community.
4 years
Teacher preparation program rooted in Claflin's HBCU mission of educating leaders for K-12 schools, particularly in underserved communities.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $18,282
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
