College of Charleston

Not to be confused with the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia.

College of Charleston
MottoSapientia Ipsa Libertas (Latin)
Ædes Mores Juraque Curat (Latin)
Motto in English
"Wisdom Itself is Liberty"
"She Cares for Her Temples, Customs and Rights"
TypePublic university
Established1770; 254 years ago (1770)
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$135.9 million (2021)[1]
PresidentAndrew Hsu
Administrative staff
836
Students11,729 (fall 2023)[2]
Undergraduates10,660 (fall 2023)
Postgraduates1,069 (fall 2023)
Location
Charleston
,
South Carolina
,
United States
CampusMidsize city[3], 80 acres (0.32 km2)
NewspaperThe College Today
ColorsMaroon and white
   [4]
NicknameCougars
Sporting affiliations
MascotCougar
Websitecofc.edu
College of Charleston
LocationGlebe, George, St. Philip and Green streets, Charleston, South Carolina
Area4 acres (1.6 ha)[5]
Built1827
ArchitectEdward B. White; George E. Walker
Architectural styleEarly Republic
NRHP reference No.71000748
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 11, 1971[6]
Designated NHLNovember 11, 1971[7]

The College of Charleston (CofC or Charleston) is a public university in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, it is the oldest university in South Carolina, the 13th-oldest institution of higher learning in the US, and the oldest municipal college in the nation.

The founders of the College of Charleston included six Founding Fathers of the United States, including three who signed the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge; and three who signed the Constitution of the United States: Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Rutledge.

  1. ^ College of Charleston Foundation 2021 (Report).
  2. ^ "Common Data Set 2023-2024 | College of Charleston" (PDF). charleston.edu.
  3. ^ "IPEDS-College of Charleston".
  4. ^ "Color Palette - College of Charleston". Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Staff, National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings (August 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: College of Charleston Complex: Main Building, Library and Gate Lodge" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved June 22, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying four photos, exterior and interior, from 1970 (1.43 MB)
  6. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  7. ^ "College of Charleston". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2008.