Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Clemson University opened in 1893. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the 23rd best national public university, Clemson University also held the title of Time Magazine's "Public College of the Year" in 2001. Clemson is also home to the nation's only National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. A study in 2010 by The Wall Street Journal ranked Clemson's engineering department 17th among the nation's colleges based on a survey of recruiters. In addition to its renowned academic programs, Clemson also offers a vibrant student life with an average of 19,000 enrolled students. Athletics are an important part of Clemson University. The Division 1 Clemson Tigers Football Team brought home the national championship in 1981.
The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, the state's capital. Founded more than 200 years ago as a single building, the college today has an average enrollment of almost 45,000 students. In addition to the main campus, the school has three additional campuses offering four-year programs in Aiken, Beaufort and the Greenville-Spartanburg area. USC is a leader in commercializing research and developing start-up companies. Their innovative technology incubator provides opportunities for entrepreneurs poised to commercialize their ideas. Student life includes the Gamecock athletic department which offers men's and women's basketball, soccer, golf and tennis programs in addition to their powerhouse men's football team, an SEC Division 1 team.
The Citadel is South Carolina's military college. It is located in Charleston which is situated on the Atlantic coast. The undergraduate student body is made up of approximately 2000 students, while the graduate program encompasses an additional 1,000 students. The school's Corp of Cadets is nationally recognized and one-third of its graduates accept military commissions. The college is divided into five academic schools, engineering being one. Governed under a classic military system, leadership and character training are essential components of the educational experience. The athletic department offers men's and women's track and cross-country. Men's football, baseball and basketball teams are affiliated with the Southern Conference and have been members since 1936.
Founded in 1896 and located in Orangeburg, South Carolina State is home to approximately 5,000 students each year. Historically a black college, the school offers several unique programs such as the state's only undergraduate nuclear engineering degree program as well as the only master of science degree in transportation. The SC State Bulldogs athletic program offers men's and women's basketball, track and tennis teams as well as it's men's football program. They are affiliated with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).