<p>Down the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States, all the flagship public universities seem to be really stong (UVA, UF, UNC, UGA). There is one exception:</p>
<p>What the heck happened to the University of South Carolina?</p>
<p>Bad leadership? Bad location (right in the middle of Columbia, SC)? Ugly Campus?</p>
<p>Even Clemson has a better reputation both in and out of state.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>A few years ago I heard that South Carolina was ranked close to #50 in the US in their public (elementary, high school) school system/scores, etc. I think that Mississippi might have been ranked lower. I don't know what the ranking is now. Perhaps the state has fewer resources than the other states you mentioned, and perhaps it devotes a lower percentage of these resources to education. Just a guess.</p>
<p>It may not be the best academic school in the country, but it definitely offers good scholarships to oos applicants.</p>