The University of South Carolina system provides statewide services focused on advancing access, affordability, and excellence to meet the state’s educational, cultural, health, and research needs. USC has eight universities across 20 locations that together serve nearly 60,000 students.
USC is driven to providing a superior education and overall experience to all of its students. Through scholarship programs such as the Gamecock Guarantee, flexibility and support from its Graduation and Retention Network, and online degrees through Palmetto College, USC is making higher education more accessible and affordable for South Carolinians.
Mission
The University of South Carolina, one of the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive public universities, is committed to the mission of educating students through teaching, research, creative activity, and community engagement that drives community and economic impact for the benefit of the state, nation, and world.
Academic Programs and Units
USC offers more than 350 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional
levels, across 16
colleges and schools:
- McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Music
- Darla Moore School of Business
- South Carolina Honors College
- College of Education
- College of Nursing
- Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
- Arnold School of Public Health
- College of Information and Communications
- College of Social Work
- College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
- Palmetto College
Graduate programs are also available at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine Greenville, and School of Medicine Columbia (located on the new Health Sciences Campus).
Strategic Plan
USC unveiled its most recent strategic plan, For South Carolina: A Path to Excellence,
in 2020, that articulated its mission and vision and a set of eight strategic priorities. Each priority reflects USC’s foundational values of Access and Transparency, Inclusive
Excellence, and Service and Integrity, which are also at the core of the Carolinian
Creed. The University is sharpening its near-term goals, reinforcing its commitment
to inclusive excellence. Near-term priorities include:
- Reimagining the student experience and advancing post-graduate success
- Increasing research and scholarship to drive community economic impact
- Transforming service and promoting operational excellence
University Initiatives: Brain Health
USC has secured funding to develop a highly specialized clinical neurological and rehabilitation center— the state’s firststandalone comprehensive facility dedicated to integrated care for patients with brain and nervous system conditions. Building on the success of the statewide Brain Health Network—which operates clinics across the state offering cognitive screenings, memory assessments, care navigation, and access to specialized diagnostics and neurologists—the center will expand coordinated, patient-centered care by offering advanced diagnostics, expert clinical teams, and care navigation while connecting patients and caregivers to community resources. Scheduled to open in early 2026 in Columbia, the USC Brain Health Center will be the first of its kind in the Southeast, drawing on the University’s multidisciplinary strengths in clinical care, education, and research to improve patient outcomes and support healthcare providers across South Carolina.
About Columbia, SC
Columbia, South Carolina is nestled in the heart of the state, offering a terrific blend of intellectual energy, cultural vibrancy, and quality of life. As the state capital and home to the flagship University of South Carolina, Columbia combines the resources and opportunities of a major university city with the accessibility and warmth of a close‑knit community. Founded in 1786, the city is rich in history and civic life, serving as the center of state government while also hosting a growing business community, including national and global employers. Residents enjoy a lively arts and cultural scene, diverse dining options, and year‑round outdoor activities, supported by the city’s mild climate and proximity to rivers and natural areas. With a metropolitan population approaching 900,000, Columbia offers the amenities of a dynamic urban center while maintaining a welcoming, livable scale that makes it an attractive place to work, live, and build community.