The University of South Carolina continues its ranking as the No. 1 public institution for first-year experience and as one of the best business schools in the nation with a top-ranked international business undergraduate program, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday (Sept. 22).
USC also ranked No. 21 nationally for living-learning communities, which provide students with supportive, academically rich residential experiences.
“These rankings reflect the strength of a Carolina education, one that combines academic excellence with a commitment to student success,” says Provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick. “Our No. 1 ranking among public institutions for first-year experience reflects the strong foundation we provide from the moment students arrive, while our nationally ranked academic programs give students access to exceptional expertise and opportunities. These accomplishments showcase the work done every day to make the Carolina experience exceptional.”
The Darla Moore School of Business continues its longstanding national leadership in undergraduate international business, ranking No. 1 nationally for undergraduate international business program for the 28th consecutive year.
This comes on the heels of the school’s international business MBA program earning the No. 1 spot among public institutions earlier this year.
“We are proud to receive multiple top 25 rankings of programs at the Darla Moore School of Business,” says Gregory Niehaus, interim dean of the Darla Moore School of Business. “The No. 1 ranking of the undergraduate International Business program for the 28th year in a row is a testament to the talented students who are attracted to the program from across the country, as well as the excellent faculty and staff who challenge and support the students.”
The Moore School also earned recognition for several specialized undergraduate business programs:
- USC’s insurance program ranks No. 10 nationally, which is third in the SEC and eighth
among public institutions.
- The supply chain management program continues to be a mainstay in the top 25 nationally,
coming in at No. 20 this year, 16th among public institutions.
- Undergraduate business program ranks No. 50 nationally, placing it among the top 25 public institutions in the nation.
“We are also proud of two other top discipline-specific program rankings: the No. 10 ranking of our Risk Management and Insurance program, which has been one of theleading programs for decades, and the No. 20 ranking of our supply chain program. These programs, along with the overall strength of our other discipline-specific programs, have also led to the school’s overall program receiving a top 25 ranking,” Niehaus says. “These recognitions can be attributed to the overall quality of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the support of the many alumni who mentor students, participate in academic programs and financially support the school. Of course, special thanks to Darla Moore for her continued support of the school.”
USC’s Living and Learning Communities finished inside the top 10 among public institutions and is second in the SEC behind only Vanderbilt.
These communities provide students with similar academic or extra-curricular pursuits a living environment as well as social connections to start their college careers, which can have a direct impact on higher grades, graduation rates and more.
The communities feature a robust support system that includes a faculty director, onsite staff, weekly events, community space and special courses linked to specific communities.