PrivateTownHBCU

Claflin University

Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115-4498

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege townGreek lifeHBCU

Known for psychology

Claflin University is a private institution in Orangeburg with particular strength in psychology and business.

A small campus of 1.7K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

49% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $40,304 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,232.

Established

1869

Motto

"The World Needs Visionaries"

Type

Private historically black liberal arts college

Division

Division II

Plan Your Visit

73%Acceptance

—SAT Avg

1,727Students

13:1Student:Faculty

49%Grad Rate

$40,304Earnings 10yr

$21,232Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate72.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$17,046

Room & Board$9,480

Books & Supplies$1,900

Total Cost of Attendance$33,538

Average Net Price$21,232

Median Debt at Graduation$29,000

Monthly Payment (10yr)$307

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,663

$30–48K$21,021

$48–75K$25,768

$75–110K$25,952

$110K+$26,086

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

29.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,049

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (50)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

1,727

Gender Split

74% / 26%

Women / Men

First Generation

32%

Pell Grant Recipients

73%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%

Black 90%

Hispanic 1%

Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.1%

Freshman Retention78.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$29,227

10 Years$40,304

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball

History & Fun Facts

•History It was originally named Claflin College and was founded in 1869 by Alonzo Webster, a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church (today the United Methodist Church).
•Claflin College opened its doors on October 27, 1869.
•In 1870, the Baker Biblical Institute merged with Claflin University.
•Claflin University is the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina and touts itself as the first college in the state to welcome all students regardless of race or gender.
•It was the first Black college to offer architectural drawing courses.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SC state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K

119 mi(206 min)

Raleighpop. 470K

202 mi(350 min)

Atlantapop. 500K

204 mi(354 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte119 mi

RDU Raleigh-Durham202 mi

ATL Atlanta206 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA811 mi · ~23h 26m drive

New York, NY625 mi · ~18h 3m drive

Hartford, CT725 mi · ~20h 57m drive

Providence, RI772 mi · ~22h 18m drive

Albany, NY740 mi · ~21h 23m drive

Syracuse, NY707 mi · ~20h 25m drive

Rochester, NY690 mi · ~19h 56m drive

Buffalo, NY657 mi · ~18h 59m drive

Philadelphia, PA546 mi · ~15h 46m drive

Pittsburgh, PA482 mi · ~13h 55m drive

Harrisburg, PA517 mi · ~14h 56m drive

Newark, NJ621 mi · ~17h 56m drive

Washington, DC430 mi · ~12h 25m drive

Baltimore, MD464 mi · ~13h 24m drive

Atlanta, GA204 mi · ~5h 54m drive

Charlotte, NC119 mi · ~3h 26m drive

Raleigh, NC202 mi · ~5h 50m drive

Miami, FL536 mi · ~15h 29m drive

Orlando, FL344 mi · ~9h 56m drive

Tampa, FL395 mi · ~11h 25m drive

Nashville, TN383 mi · ~11h 4m drive

New Orleans, LA594 mi · ~17h 10m drive

Richmond, VA339 mi · ~9h 48m drive

Chicago, IL687 mi · ~19h 51m drive

Detroit, MI622 mi · ~17h 58m drive

Minneapolis, MN1032 mi · ~29h 49m drive

St. Louis, MO630 mi · ~18h 12m drive

Kansas City, MO855 mi · ~24h 42m drive

Indianapolis, IN523 mi · ~15h 7m drive

Columbus, OH462 mi · ~13h 21m drive

Cleveland, OH555 mi · ~16h 2m drive

Milwaukee, WI761 mi · ~21h 59m drive

Dallas, TX923 mi · ~26h 40m drive

Houston, TX891 mi · ~25h 44m drive

Austin, TX1014 mi · ~29h 18m drive

San Antonio, TX1076 mi · ~31h 5m drive

Los Angeles, CA2136 mi · ~61h 42m drive

San Francisco, CA2334 mi · ~67h 26m drive

San Diego, CA2091 mi · ~60h 24m drive

Seattle, WA2351 mi · ~67h 55m drive

Portland, OR2348 mi · ~67h 50m drive

Denver, CO1401 mi · ~40h 28m drive

Phoenix, AZ1792 mi · ~51h 46m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1771 mi · ~51h 10m drive

Honolulu, HI4696 mi · ~135h 40m drive

Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Deadline Calendar

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