It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools.

Since its inception, Winthrop has developed into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees through five colleges and schools.

That year the school opened its doors to twenty-one students in Columbia, South Carolina.

The school's name would change twice in quick succession, first to the South Carolina Industrial and Winthrop Normal College in 1891 and then to the Winthrop Normal and Industrial College of South Carolina in 1893, before moving to Rock Hill, its current home, in 1895.

Evolving from a training school to a college with a four-year full curriculum, it also developed a graduate division.

In 2015, a forum for the Democratic party was held on campus, which included candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

This features a 225-seat movie theater, food court, campus bookstore, post office, and casual dining.

George W. Hynd was appointed Interim President in January 2020 and succeeded Daniel F. Mahony who had served since 2015.

The Winthrop University Board of Trustees consists of fifteen members, including the governor of South Carolina and the State Superintendent of Education (or their designees).

Winthrop's University College allows faculty and staff to work across disciplines to ensure all students have a common academic foundation.

Today over 250 students from each of Winthrop's four degree granting colleges participate in the University Honors Program.

[27] The Ida Jane Dacus Library contains 476,473 volumes, circulates 38,943 items per year, and participates in the interlibrary loan and PASCAL delivers programs.

[28] The Louise Pettus Archives & Special Collections, housed in a separate structure on Cherry Road, contains original documents, manuscripts, and rare books about Winthrop University's history as well as the state of South Carolina's history, including the Catawba region.

[29] The academic and administrative affairs of both the Ida Jane Dacus Library and Louise Pettus Archives & Special Collections are overseen by the dean, who reports directly to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

[30] The university employs 286 full-time and 222 part-time faculty members, 59 of whom are classified as minorities and 290 of whom are women.

[40] Cultural events are typically on a wide variety of subjects, and have included in the past: The university has more than 180 student organizations.

[42] In 2016, it was voted as the top student newspaper in the state of South Carolina by the S.C. Press Association.

[43] The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes on the Division I level.

[45] The university sponsors 18 intercollegiate teams (eight men's, 10 women's, one co-ed) in baseball, basketball, cross country running, golf, soccer, and track and field on the men's side, and basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and volleyball on the women's side.

The university has labeled itself "The Campus of Champions" as its intercollegiate athletic teams have experienced success in recent years.

[45] The tennis programs were discontinued in 2020 due to financial losses from the university caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[47] In 2024, Winthrop made US national news when it became the first Division 1 college to offer scholarships to play cornhole.

In addition to serving as the home venue of the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams, the university's athletic department offices are located in the Coliseum.

The arena features 6,100 permanent seats and hosts numerous non-university shows and events in addition to Winthrop athletic contests.

[50] The Coliseum also served as the temporary practice site of the NFL's Carolina Panthers until completion of the team's facilities in Charlotte.

The facility features 1,800 permanent seats, a press box, field house, and a Daktronics LCD scoreboard.

In addition, the playing field is a Tifway 419 hybrid Bermuda grass with Eagle Blend and Sun Star.

Later that spring on March 16, 2007, the Winthrop Eagles defeated Notre Dame for the first NCAA men's basketball tournament win in school history.

Marshall's assistant at Winthrop Randy Peele was named as his successor and led the Eagles to win Big South Championships in 2008 and 2010.