"Six institutions of higher learning! Theater, concerts, sporting events—plus any number of lectures and visiting dignitaries—are the bounty reaped by Spartanburg from being a true College Town,” says Dr. Bernie Dunlap, President of Wofford College. “This certainly helps Spartanburg, an astonishingly vibrant town, when it comes to arts and ideas.”

Spartanburg could make the case for being the state’s leading “College Town.” Each August, the community’s population grows dramatically as over 12,000 students attend six area colleges and universities, making Spartanburg a destination for the academic community.

“We like to think that Spartanburg has a great deal of intellectual capital,” says Laura Corbin, Marketing Chair for College Town, a consortium of school presidents and civic leaders. “For a community of its size, Spartanburg has an unusually large number of colleges, allowing for cooperative academic, social and community service projects.”

Having a large student community makes Spartanburg a more vibrant place. It also makes for a healthy business climate as varied marketing opportunities exist for businesses that cater to students. Conversely, a diverse business community makes Spartanburg more attractive to prospective students.

CONVERSE COLLEGE, a liberal arts college for women with coeducational graduate programs, is a great place to enjoy the fine arts. Each year, nearly 200 public events are offered in music, art, theatre, dance, and creative writing. Converse’s highly acclaimed Petrie School of Music, focus on leadership and service, and commitment to academic excellence are all reasons U.S. News & World Report lists it among the top colleges in the South and as a best value in education.