The University of South Carolina is in Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, in the center of the state. Its historic core, the Horseshoe, sits a few blocks from the South Carolina State House in downtown Columbia.
USC’s Columbia campus enrolled more than 40,000 students in fall 2025, a record and the first time it passed that mark.
Wait, which USC?
“USC” means two different schools, and people mix them up all the time. The University of South Carolina (the Gamecocks) is in Columbia, SC. The University of Southern California (the Trojans) is in Los Angeles. The confusion runs deep: the two schools have fought over the “USC” name and “SC” logo in trademark disputes, a Columbia businessman once printed the Trojans’ football schedule by mistake when he meant the Gamecocks’, and the women’s basketball programs have played a “#TheRealSC” series.
How far is Columbia from…
| From | Drive time |
|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | about 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Charleston, SC | about 2 hours |
| Greenville, SC | about 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Clemson, SC | about 2 hours |
| Atlanta, GA | about 3 hours 30 minutes |
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) serves the city, with nonstop flights to hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas.
Where are the Gamecocks’ venues?
- Williams-Brice Stadium Football, about two miles south of campus near the State Fairgrounds.
- Colonial Life Arena Basketball, downtown on Lincoln Street next to the Vista.
- Founders Park Baseball, just south of the Vista near the Congaree River.
Visiting for a game?
Downtown hotels fill quickly on football weekends. See our guide to where to stay for Gamecocks games, and check the upcoming home schedule below. Headed to the Upstate instead? Here’s where Clemson University is.
