The College was founded in 1894 by Rev. Dr. Nero Crockett, presiding elder of the Yorkville District of the South Carolina Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Rev. W.M. Robinson, pastor of the Clinton Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

It was founded as Clinton Institute and named after Bishop Caleb Isom Clinton, the presiding bishop of the South Carolina Conference at that time.

Clinton Institute began as a boarding school, providing high quality education to hundreds of newly freed blacks.  In the early years of this century, the school became known as Clinton Normal and Industrial Institute, and was authorized to grant state teacher certificates.

Many students who come to Clinton Junior College come because of limited financial resources and others come because of inadequate academic preparation.  The College serves those who excel academically and those who have yet to blossom.  It is the major objective of the institution to provide a liberal arts education in an environment that supports the development of the whole person, intellectually, spiritually, psychologically, physically, and one that supports strong moral and ethical values.  Students are taught the need to be good stewards of the environment and give back to those less fortunate and to society.

• Many students attend Clinton Junior College because if affords them a small family atmosphere
• The class sizes are small
• Students receive individualized assistance
• Establishes the framework upon which students can build a good academic foundation
• Clinton Junior College offers a very loving and nurturing environment
• Students will have achieved an excellence core of competences to enroll in a four year institution