Clemson University is a public land-grant research university located near Clemson, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1889 through the will of Thomas Green Clemson, it was originally named Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina before evolving into its current name. As the second-largest university in South Carolina, it serves over 28,000 students with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Classified as an R1 Very High Research University, Clemson is renowned for its strong programs in business, engineering, agriculture, and architecture, and maintains close ties to state political figures and industries. The university operates extension offices in every South Carolina county, multiple innovation campuses, and research centers, with notable facilities like the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). It offers over 80 undergraduate and 110 graduate degrees across five colleges and has an endowment exceeding $1 billion. Among its alumni is former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who earned her accounting degree there.