
1530 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204, USA


Allen University provides a range of athletic opportunities for students through its participation in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing mainly within the Sun Conference. The university supports several varsity sports programs, offering both men's and women's teams.
Men's athletics include basketball, baseball, cross country, football, and track & field, while women can participate in basketball, cheerleading, cross country, track & field, and volleyball. These programs aim to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and competitive spirit among students.
The athletic facilities at Allen University are designed to support these activities, providing suitable venues for training and competitions. Student-athletes at Allen balance their academic responsibilities with their sports commitments, benefiting from the university's emphasis on both education and athletics.
Allen University hosts a variety of student groups that cater to diverse interests. These include the International Students Club, Social Science Club, Gospel Choir, NAACP, and Phi Beta Lambda alongside BASIC.
Allen University enrolls a modest number of new students each year, with about 170 freshmen and 56 transfer students, placing the institution in the lower 40% of peer schools by size of incoming classes. The overall new student intake is also considered average but tends to be on the smaller side compared to many other universities.
The student body includes a broad age range. Among undergraduates, the majority are between 18 and 24 years old, with 218 students aged 18-19 and 209 aged 20-21, while a significant portion-156 students-are slightly older, between 22 and 24. There is also a smaller, yet notable representation of non-traditional students ranging from their mid-20s up to over 65, reflecting some diversity in life stages. Graduate students are fewer but tend to be older adults, with a notable cluster between 40 and 64 years old.
In terms of racial and ethnic composition, Allen University has a predominantly African American student population, consisting of 573 individuals, which positions the university in the top half of similar institutions for this demographic. Hispanic students number 21, which is an average representation for comparable schools. Other groups include a small number of white students (2), Native Americans (6), and students identifying with two or more races (16). There is also a presence of students whose ethnicity is unreported or unknown, numbering 7.
Student life at Allen University includes access to a campus newspaper and a campus chorus, providing avenues for creative and expressive activities. However, the university does not offer programs in campus drama, radio, band, or television. For student support, there are health clinic services and psychological counseling available on campus, which contribute to student well-being.
Allen University provides students access to two libraries, including its main facility, the J. S. Flipper Library. The number of libraries available is considered average and ranks in the top half nationally in terms of availability. Additionally, students can utilize one other library on campus, which also places the university above the median compared to other institutions.
The university offers a moderate collection of resources. Its physical book holdings total 53,675, a figure that falls in the lower 40 percent when compared nationally. Digital resources are similarly moderate, with 2,692 digital subscriptions and 288,634 ebooks, both measuring in the lower third to bottom 45 percent range. Subscribers have access to 270 databases, reflecting a slightly better but still modest number relative to peer institutions.
Students benefit from the presence of physical and digital facilities, ensuring that they can access library services through multiple formats. Library staff are trained to support student research and resource usage. Furthermore, Allen University's library system provides access to shared collections, potentially broadening the scope of available materials beyond its own holdings.
Total enrollment
677Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
169Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
129 full time, 38 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
J. S. Flipper LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
2Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes