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Wofford College

Spartanburg, SC

private nonprofitbachelors

Quick Facts

Intaminatis fulget honoribus(Untarnished, She Shines with Honor.)

1854
Founded
Private liberal arts college
Type
1,873
Total Students
1,800
Undergrad
$512M
Endowment
(2025)
$54K
Tuition (In-State)
$54K
Tuition (Out-State)
$29K
Avg Net Price
59%
Acceptance Rate
81%
Graduation Rate
6-year
90%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Nayef Samhat

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Wofford College

Wofford: A historic liberal arts gem, shining with untarnished honor on a national arboretum campus.

Wofford College, established in 1854, stands as a distinctive private liberal arts institution nestled in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Renowned for its commitment to "literary, classical, and scientific education," it proudly operates on its original 175-acre campus, a rare feat for a four-year institution in the Southeast founded before the American Civil War. The campus itself is a designated national arboretum, offering a beautiful and vibrant learning environment where history and nature intertwine.

For prospective students, Wofford offers an intimate educational experience, currently serving around 1,800 undergraduates. The college upholds its proud heritage, reflected in its motto, "Intaminatis fulget honoribus" – Untarnished, She Shines with Honor. Its Main Building, a historic landmark, was designed by the esteemed Charleston architect Edward C. Jones, symbolizing the institution's enduring legacy and architectural grandeur.

Academically, Wofford has been recognized for its excellence, notably earning a chapter of the honor society Phi Beta Kappa in 1941—the first private college in South Carolina to achieve this distinction. This commitment to academic rigor, combined with its vibrant suburban campus life and Division I athletics (the Terriers!), fosters a comprehensive and engaging student journey, preparing graduates to shine untarnished in their future endeavors.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1854, Wofford is one of the few four-year institutions in the southeastern U.S. founded before the American Civil War that still operates on its original campus.
  • The beautiful 175-acre suburban campus is a designated national arboretum.
  • Boasts a significant endowment of $512.1 million (as of 2025).
  • Serves approximately 1,800 undergraduate students, fostering a close-knit academic community.
  • Awarded the first Phi Beta Kappa chapter at a private college in South Carolina in 1941, recognizing its academic excellence.
  • Its motto, "Intaminatis fulget honoribus," translates to "Untarnished, She Shines with Honor."

Timeline

1854
Wofford College founded with a bequest from Benjamin Wofford, a Methodist minister.
1941
Awarded a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, the first at a private college in South Carolina.
🏛️
172 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Nayef Samhat
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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