Converse at a Glance
Converse empowers our students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. We offer an environment where opinions are valued and supported with strong academic programs in the arts, sciences, and education, a low 12:1 student-faculty ratio and unique opportunities for student and faculty research.
We value creativity, innovation, and transformation. Every student has the opportunity to participate in experiential learning while at Converse—things like internships, student research, leadership development, community service and study-travel.
History
In 1964 Converse introduced co-ed graduate programs, including the Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) program, the first degree of its kind in South Carolina.
In February 2020, Converse decided to expand its undergraduate residential program from single-gender to co-ed beginning in Fall 2020. On July 1, 2021, Converse College acknowledged its long-held university status with an official name change to Converse University,
Students
- 1,459 total enrollment (859 undergraduate and 600 graduate)
- 21 states and 37 countries represented
- 12:1 student/faculty ratio ensures personal attention and mentoring
- 77% of students have jobs or graduate school acceptances within six months of graduation
Faculty
- Nationally recognized and celebrated faculty
- 98% of full-time faculty hold the terminal degree in their fields
- 86% of courses are taught by full-time faculty
- 3 faculty members were named South Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation
Academic Profile
- Over 45% rank in the top quarter of their graduating class
- Middle 50% SAT range: 1030-1227; middle 50% ACT range: 20-26
- 60% graduation rate with 94% of graduates completing their degree in four years
Academics
- Converse offers over 100 career-focused majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs with a liberal arts foundation
- Options for double and self-designed majors – more than half of our students double major
- Graduate programs include: MiM, MLA, MMFT, MM, MAT, MFA, MEd, EdD and EdS degrees
- Six online graduate degrees (EdS, MEd, MIM) and one low-residency MFA graduate degree
- Two programs are offered at our alternate location at the University Center of Greenville (UCG), including the EdD
Experiential Learning
- Converse students have the opportunity to participate in research, independent creative projects, service learning projects, internships or study travel
- 1/2 of Converse students are involved in research or independent creative projects. Our student researchers receive more SCICU funding than any other school in the state
- Nearly 1/2 of our students participate in service & community projects
- 1/3 participate in study-travel to connect with global learning in Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, North America and South America. Many receive study-travel scholarships
The Converse Guarantee
Guarantee 1: We guarantee all undergraduate, full-time students will graduate from Converse in four years. We are committed to your success. If you don’t graduate in four years, the rest of your classes needed to complete your degree at Converse will be free*.
Guarantee 2: We guarantee all students will be employed full-time or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, or be eligible to return for a full year tuition-free*.
Undergraduate
Academics
With more than 40 undergraduate majors and 30 minors, as well as eight pre-professional career-tracks, tomorrow’s game changers start here at Converse.
Admissions
Our students are leaders, creative thinkers, and doers who are looking for more from their college experience.
Tuition & Fees
Our tuition is lower than the average cost of most other private Upstate SC institutions.
Graduate
Academics
Accelerate your career journey with Converse’s Master’s and Doctorate degrees.
Admissions
With more than 35 Master’s programs (five fully-online) and our unique doctoral program with the dissertation built into the coursework, we will take your career to a new level.
Tuition & Fees
Affordable and accessible, take the next step in advancing your education at Converse.
Valkyries Athletics
Converse has 18 NCAA Division II teams including acrobatics & tumbling (emerging), field hockey, women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, softball, women’s swimming, and women’s volleyball, as well as men’s and women’s programs for basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, track & field. Men’s swimming will begin in the Fall 2023 term. In addition, we offer co-ed programs in esports, IHSA equestrian, and spirit squad. Actively competing in Conference Carolinas, we are the only NCAA Division II athletic program in the Upstate.
Women’s Teams
- Acrobatics & Tumbling
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Men’s Teams
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Swimming (Fall 2023)
- Tennis
- Track & Field
Co-ed Teams
- Equestrian (IHSA)*
- Esports*
- Spirit Squad*
*Not a Division II sport
NEXT STEPS
Main phone & switchboard: 864.596.9000
Mailing Address:
Converse University
580 E. Main St
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Media Inquiries:
864.596.9504
communications@y1869.com
Campus Safety:
864.596.9026
campussafety@y1869.com