The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, the state’s capitol city and cultural hub. It has been in this location for over two hundred years, with the old section of campus (the “horseshoe”) being widely recognized for its lasting beauty. Greater Columbia has over 583,000 people, over 600 restaurants, 8 major hospitals, and 5 large shopping malls. The city of Columbia is located 2 ˝ hours by car from the Grand Strand at Myrtle Beach, 2 hours from historic Charleston, and 2 hours from the scenic Smoky Mountains. Average annual snowfall is less than 2-inches and rarely lasts a day. Recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, and skiing on Lake Murray (located only 20 minutes from campus), music and arts festivals, and a nationally recognized zoo.

The economic climate is vibrant and the cost of living much less than is usually associated with urban areas. The University community is ethnically diverse, as demonstrated by its national ranking of tenth in the number of master’s degrees awarded to African Americans. We believe you will find Columbia a fine place in which to live and study.

Informational Links for Columbia, South Carolina

• University of South Carolina Visitor’s Center

• MidNet includes information from over 200 local nonprofit organizations and community groups.

• Columbia Visitor & Convention Bureau is the official website of the City of Columbia, South Carolina.

• www.sc.gov, the official website of South Carolina, and includes information on Government, Education, Business, Health, Public Safety, Environment and Tourism.

• Carolina Collegiate Federal Credit Union

• Yahoo! Columbia has a city guide and other info.

• Columbia A to Z…enough said.

• Columbia Metropolitan Airport

• The State and Free Times are just two of Columbia’s newspapers.

• Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, and the South Carolina State Museum are a few of our attractions.

• South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, the Columbia City Ballet, the Town Theatre, and a number of other venues provide local entertainment.

• Five Points is within walking distance of campus. Five Points also is home to several restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

• Lake Murray, Sesquicentennial and Dreher Island State Parks, and the Congaree Swamp National Monument are enjoyed by outdoors enthusiasts.

• Carolina Gamecocks and the Inferno are a couple of our local sports teams.

• Golf is popular year round.