About Winthrop University
Reach Your Potential with a University Recognized for Excellence
Winthrop is a public, comprehensive university recognized among the best of its kind nationwide. Here, you can excel in online programs rooted in character, quality, excellence and community. We offer academic experiences that blend a professional focus, global awareness and civic engagement while delivering knowledge, skills and values to enrich your life and expand your potential.
Why Choose Winthrop Online?
Winthrop demonstrates that you can engage in flexible coursework without sacrificing academic rigor and affordability. With a focus on student-centered experiences, we incorporate individual attention, dedicated advising and meaningful interactions into each online course. You will benefit from the same curricula as our respected on-campus degrees and learn from many of the same faculty members—all while taking courses in the location you prefer.
Request More Information
Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition, and more.
Achievements and Recognition
Winthrop University offers high-quality educational programs recognized for providing superior value. Our recent rankings include:
- #9 – Public Regional Universities (South)
- #20 – Regional Universities (South)
- #8 – Best Colleges for Veterans
- #35 – Best Value Schools
- #116 – Best Bang for the Buck Colleges (Southeast) – 20252
- #92 – Master’s University Rankings – 20243
- Ranked among the Best Colleges (South) – 2026
- Ranked among America’s Best Colleges
- #1 – Most Affordable Online Colleges in South Carolina
Accreditation
- Regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s and specialist degrees
- Member institution of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Our online M.B.A. is among the 5 percent of business programs worldwide to achieve accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)
- Our Master of Social Work program is among 349 master’s programs with accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Winthrop University Fast Facts
- Founded: 1886
- Campus location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
- Graduate enrollment: 1,018
- Undergraduate enrollment: 5,091
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14 to 1
- Team name: Winthrop Eagles
- Conference: Big South, NCAA, Division I
- Intercollegiate sports: 18
Our Vision and Values
We aspire to be a transformational institution providing an excellent and affordable education within a vibrant and inclusive community offering the gift of learning, the tools for lifelong learning and the confidence born of a robust and disciplined learning experience.
At Winthrop, we value:
Our History
Winthrop University has been an educational leader in South Carolina for more than a century. Founded in 1886 as the Winthrop Training School, the institution was established in a one-room building before growing in stature and relocating to Rock Hill in 1895. Designated a university in 1992, Winthrop has achieved national recognition and now empowers students to excel in business, education, social work and beyond.
Our Mission
Winthrop University is a comprehensive public university that challenges undergraduate and graduate students of talent, ambition and intellectual curiosity, equipping them to embrace and lead a world in transition by providing residential and online learning experiences and instilling critical thinking skills, empowering them to create the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQ page to find answers to questions you may have about the online programs.
Winthrop University Online offers a regionally accredited degree from a 130+ year-old public institution — not a for-profit school — at a competitive, flat per-credit-hour rate for all students. Small class sizes, dedicated faculty, career development resources, and strong program rankings in business, education, and social work make Winthrop a high-value choice for working adult learners.
Yes. Winthrop University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). All online degrees are conferred under the same institutional accreditation as degrees earned on campus. Your diploma will not indicate that your degree was completed online.
Winthrop University Online is particularly recognized for its programs in the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, the College of Business Administration, and the School of Social Work. Highly regarded online offerings include the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), and multiple graduate education programs — all backed by dedicated college accreditations.
Winthrop University is a public comprehensive university recognized for strong programs in business, education, and social work. It has been consistently ranked among the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report and is known for delivering a high-quality, personalized academic experience at a public school price point.
Winthrop University is a public institution, founded in 1886 and located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. As a state-supported university, it offers competitive tuition rates — particularly for online learners who benefit from a single, unified tuition rate regardless of state residency.
Winthrop University enrolls approximately 5,500 students, offering an intentionally smaller academic environment where faculty know their students by name. This size fosters strong mentorship, accessible advising, and a personalized learning experience — whether you study on campus or completely online.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. “Winthrop University Rankings.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/winthrop-university-3456/overall-rankings.
- Washington Monthly. “2025 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Southeast.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025-college-guide/best-bang-for-the-buck-rankings-southeast/.
- Washington Monthly. “2024 Master’s University Rankings.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024-college-guide/masters/.
- The Princeton Review. 2026 Best Colleges. “Best South.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/?rankings=best-south.
- Money. “Winthrop University.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://money.com/best-colleges/profile/winthrop-university/.
- Learn.org. “6 Most Affordable Online Colleges in South Carolina 2025.” Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://learn.org/affordable-degrees/affordable-online-degrees-south-carolina.