Niche.com has ranked Clemson University No. 1 among its 2027 Best Colleges for English in South Carolina. The ranking is based on both statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and student reviews.
“I’m so proud to see Niche’s recognition of our Department of English,” said Nicholas Vazsonyi, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Clemson. “At a time when artificial writing seems unstoppable, the ability of Clemson students to develop their own authentic voices has never been more crucial. The dedication shown by our English faculty to hone our student’s skills is inspiring.”
Under the leadership of Professor and Chair Will Stockton, the Department of English enrolls 179 students in its major and 71 in its minor. The major offers courses in three core subjects: literature, writing and publication studies, and literary theory and cultural studies. The department also offers a Master of Arts in English and collaborates closely with Clemson’s doctoral program in Rhetoric, Communication and Information Design.
“What makes Clemson English special is the range of experiences we can offer students. They can study literature across centuries and cultures, develop as creative and critical writers, and put what they learn into practice through hands-on opportunities. We want our students to leave Clemson as sharper readers, stronger writers and more independent thinkers.”
Will Stockton, chair of the Department of English
The department has a central role in the literary world of South Carolina. It has been the home of the South Carolina Review — the state’s preeminent Southern literary magazine — since 1973. Next Spring, the department will host the 20th annual Clemson Literary Festival. Both the review and festival give students the opportunity for hands-on learning about the publishing industry.
Niche is an online ranking and review platform that creates detailed report cards and rankings for most U.S. colleges, K-12 schools and neighborhoods. Its rankings combine publicly available statistics and reviews from thousands of students, alumni and parents. Its 2027 rankings placed Clemson University as No. 1 Best College in South Carolina, No. 2 among Best College Locations in America, No. 6 among Best College Athletics in America and No. 7 for Colleges with the Best Student Life in America.
