The mission of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) is to provide quality and affordable comprehensive education programs that will have a positive social and economic impact on the lives of the citizens of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties and the state of South Carolina.Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is an associate degree-awarding two-year public institution. As an open admissions institution, it serve students with diverse backgrounds and ability levels from a primarily rural region, enrolling approximately 2,900 – 3,300 credit students and 3,000 non-credit students annually. Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College values the quality and effectiveness of its programs, promoting ethical standards in all aspects of the College’s operation. The College seeks success of each student in an environment that provides opportunity for lifelong learning in a complex, global society.

The College’s goal is to serve as a conduit for community and economic development opportunities by providing a well-trained workforce. Specifically, OCTech’s programs of study include business, computer technology, engineering technology, general education, health sciences, industrial technology, nursing, and public service. In addition, students can earn college credits that can be transferred to a four-year institution.

Founded in 1869, Claflin University is an independent, liberal arts, co-educational, historically black institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is dedicated to educational excellence and preparing students without regard to gender, race, religion or ethnic origin. It is committed to offering quality undergraduate programs, select graduate programs, and viable continuing education opportunities.At the undergraduate level, the University ensures that students receive a liberal arts education that is designed to develop men and women of vision who demonstrate extraordinary achievement, distinctive confidence and a lifelong desire to transform society thought selfless leadership. Students are offered a rich academic experience, a thorough grounding in their chosen discipline, significant research and internships programs and valuable community service activities. Undergraduates are encouraged to understand and appreciate religious and cultural values in a universal context. Claflin honor’s the University’s heritage by providing life changing educational and personal opportunities for all her students.

At the graduate level, students are provided instruction to enhance the analytical and comprehensive research acumen necessary for professional growth and leadership. Continuing education programs create avenues for students to complete their educational objectives and develop skills necessary to advance their careers, their defined goals and to achieve personal fulfillment.

Since 1896, South Carolina State University has maintained a legacy of excellence in education. It has been home to generations of scholars and leaders in business, military service, government, athletics, education, medicine, science, engineering technology and more. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., SC State was founded as a land grant college with a mission of providing education and service to the citizens of the state. In its first century, SC State was a leader in education and continues to lead the way into the next century.South Carolina State University is committed to providing affordable and accessible quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Enrollment is approximately 4,800 with 60 baccalaureate programs in the areas of applied professional sciences, arts and humanities, business, education, and engineering technology and sciences. Master’s level programs are offered in teaching, human services, and agribusiness. Moreover, State is one of three universities in South Carolina to offer a doctoral program in Educational Administration and one of two schools in the state to offer an accredited master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology. Students also have enjoyed summer study-abroad programs in Ghana and the Dominican Republic.

A private, four-year, coeducational college, Southern Methodist College is located near Orangeburg’s Edisto Memorial Gardens on a 50-acre estate. The College relocated from Aiken, South Carolina to Orangeburg in 1961. The overall structure of the College seeks to develop general education, intellectual abilities, Bible knowledge, spiritual maturity, ministry, and leadership skills through academic instruction, experimental learning, and career development.

Orangeburg’s Technology Center also offers a wide-range of courses, including health and human services, culinary arts, health science technology, accounting, business administration, computer technology, marketing, industrial engineering, and computer-related design (CAD). In addition, the Technology Center is home to the Distance Learning Center, which has an interactive video production facility and short distance learning studio.