Claflin University, founded in 1869, is the oldest historically black college or university in the state of South Carolina. U.S. News & World Report 2004, ranks Claflin number eight in the "Top Ten" and number one "Best Value" categories among Southern Comprehensive Colleges for students working toward a bachelor's degree, in its Guidebook to America's Best Colleges. A small university offering a big educational experience, Claflin has long been recognized for the rich legacy of its graduates' achievements in medicine, law, teaching, and dozens of other professions. Committed to maintaining the very highest standards of academic excellence, Claflin is gaining ever-greater national recognition as a premier comprehensive institution in the southeastern region of the United States.