[5] It was named for Ebenezer Erskine, a pastor and one of the founders of one of the antecedent bodies of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

[5] During World War II Erskine served as a cadet training school for the United States Army Air Corps.

[5] On March 11, 2014, a website article on Outsports detailed the coming out of two gay male players on the college's volleyball team.

[8] On February 27, 2015, Erskine College released a statement that students are expected to "follow the teachings of scripture concerning matters of human sexuality.

"[9][10][11][12] Erskine was placed on "warning" status by its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, following its decennial accreditation review in December 2013.

Steve Adamson, president of Erskine, said he fully expected "to have the warning lifted in December 2023 and the institution’s reaffirmation granted.

The transaction was not made public until 2024, when Erskine filed a lawsuit seeking to recover the full amount.

Erskine College participates in NCAA Division II sports as a member of Conference Carolinas.

Notably, it was during a game against Furman University in 1929 that Erskine was first referred to as "The Flying Fleet", a nickname given to them by a Greenville reporter who was impressed by their passing performance.

[31] In 2018, Erskine College announced the return of the football program for the 2020 season competing as an Independent in NCAA Division II.