South Carolina is the third fastest-growing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With every sector in the state facing workforce needs, the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing stands ready to address these needs through innovation and preparing our future workforce.

Our impact on South Carolina is demonstrated in three ways: driving economic growth, spurring social mobility, and preparing our students to become the next wave of impact-makers.

We understand the importance of engineering to our state's economy and the role it plays in attracting high-paying jobs that our alumni are eager to fill. At the university, we are not merely participants in the state's economic development efforts; we are propelling our graduates to enter the job market with high-demand skills and competitive salaries.

Our college embodies the essence of South Carolina: resilient, resourceful, and forward-thinking. We are not just an institution but a launchpad of social mobility, lifting our students from all walks of life to sustained professional success. This mission is deeply ingrained in our culture, reflected in the fact that nearly 70 percent of engineering and computing students are South Carolinians, and a significant majority of our alumni choose to apply their skills within our state's borders. Our commitment to South Carolina is the foundation, and our outcomes are the proof.

The university is at the highest tier of research institutions, with top faculty whose engineering and computing expertise is being acknowledged by major granting agencies. We have the largest membership in South Carolina to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional honors accorded an engineer. 

This depth of expertise and our collaborations with global laboratories, industries and other universities allow us to grow research and development investments in the Palmetto State.  One recent example is our involvement in the SC Nexus partnership, helping secure a Tech Hub designation from the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for South Carolina.

Corporate partnerships are another area where we shine. From Boeing to Siemens, our collaborations provide students with real-world experience and employment opportunities post-graduation. We are one of only six universities selected by Boeing's Accelerated Leadership Program, and our innovative solutions for energy storage and distribution, composite manufacturing, and intelligent infrastructure have attracted global interest from Michelin, BASF, and NASA.

Creating a workforce that reflects our state allows the best perspectives and backgrounds to come together and think critically about problems and challenges facing both our local and global communities. 

From 2019 to today, we have increased enrollment of underrepresented minority students by over 10 percentage points and more than doubled our number of African American graduates. This surge is no accident; it is the result of a concerted effort, with increased investments in outreach, first-year experience, advising and student and career services.

We provide a high-quality, accessible and affordable education at a flagship university. Nearly 100 engineering and computing-specific scholarships make our already-lower tuition even more reasonable. With 23 percent of our students being Pell Grant Recipients and growing interest in our first-generation programs, we’re opening doors for many who might otherwise find them closed.

Our new degree programs are designed with the needs of our state and our students in mind. Our aerospace program - the only one in South Carolina - was established to meet the demand for such expertise, and now boasts one of the largest incoming classes in the nation. Industrial and biomedical engineering majors are timely solutions for the state’s thriving health care and manufacturing sectors.

As the College of Engineering and Computing continues to grow in size and impact, we do so with a clear vision: that any student on the East Coast considering an engineering degree will think of us, and state leaders will see us as an indispensable resource in their economic and infrastructure planning.

We understand that our mission is more important than ever. Our future-focused efforts are centered on growing our state’s economy and inspiring our students to advance themselves now and in the workforce. Our goal is to serve our state as a resource, a partner and a leader.