


Livingstone College is a private, historically Black college founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1879. It began in Concord, North Carolina, as Zion Wesley Institute, with an educational mission shaped by the opportunities available to Black students after the Civil War.
The school moved to Salisbury in 1882 and later took the name Livingstone College, honoring the missionary and explorer David Livingstone. Its church connection and historically Black identity remain central to its institutional history. For prospective students, that background helps explain why religious life, service and community traditions feature alongside its academic programs.
Livingstone College offers undergraduate study across the humanities, sciences, social sciences, business and education. Its academic offerings include fields such as biology, mathematics, psychology, criminal justice, social work, business administration, music and teacher education.
Students should distinguish a listed major from a particular course or concentration: course schedules and program availability can change. Applicants considering teacher preparation, social work or another occupation with licensing requirements should check the current catalog for the required curriculum, fieldwork and applicable state-approval rules. The catalog is also the appropriate place to confirm which credentials are offered in a given field.
Livingstone College is in Salisbury, North Carolina, a city northeast of Charlotte. Its Salisbury campus places students near the city's downtown services while remaining within reach of the broader Charlotte region.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the principal regional airport for students traveling longer distances. Students who expect to commute or take part in off-campus placements should plan around their actual transportation needs rather than assume that regional destinations are convenient without a car. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, subject to college parking rules.
Livingstone College describes its purpose in terms of educating students for leadership, service and lifelong learning. Its educational identity is rooted in its founding affiliation with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and its role as a historically Black college.
Those are the institution's stated priorities, not measures of an individual student's outcome. Applicants evaluating how the mission translates into their education can examine the general-education curriculum, community-service opportunities and expectations for their intended major.
Name of the institution
Livingstone CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church)School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1879Livingstone College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.