AU vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

AU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or CSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than AU ($21,080 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 4.1% lower than at Anderson University ($12,200 vs. $12,720).
• Anderson University is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $2,450 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at AU than at Charleston Southern University (about $2,450 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University as at Charleston Southern University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($25,969 vs. $23,240).

AU vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 140 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming AU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 17.7% at CSU.

AU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and CSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Anderson University graduates have a $138 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,862 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.