Overview of University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina (USC), also known as South Carolina or Carolina, is a leading public research university in Columbia, SC. Established in 1801 as South Carolina College, it serves as the flagship institution of the USC System and is the state’s largest university by enrollment. Its 359-acre main campus is located in downtown Columbia, near the South Carolina State House. Recognized as an R1 research institution, USC excels in academic excellence and innovation. It is home to the world’s largest Ernest Hemingway collection and the most extensive Robert Burns and Scottish literature collection outside Scotland.
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Former names
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South Carolina College (1801–1865; 1882–1887; 1890–1905) University of South Carolina (1866–1877) South Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanics (1880–1881) |
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| Motto | Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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“Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel” (Ovid) |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | December 19, 1801 |
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Parent institution
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University of South Carolina System |
| Accreditation | SACS |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $989 million (2021) |
| President | Michael Amiridis |
| Provost | Donna K. Arnett |
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Academic staff
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1,604 |
| Students | >38,000 (2024) (Columbia) 52,633 (system-wide) |
| Location |
Columbia
, South Carolina
, United States
|
| Campus | Midsize city, 359 acres (145 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Daily Gamecock |
| Colors | Garnet and black |
| Nickname | Gamecocks |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FBS – SEC |
| Mascot | Cocky |
| Website | www |