Allen University

Allen University, a private historically Black institution founded in 1870 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is located in Columbia, South Carolina's capital city. The urban campus occupies several blocks in downtown Columbia and features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including the Chappelle Auditorium, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university maintains a traditional liberal arts curriculum with focused programs in religion, business administration, and social sciences, while operating as an open-enrollment institution. Students reside in on-campus dormitories, and the university competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as the Yellow Jackets, primarily in basketball and track and field.