Auburn vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Auburn vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or CofC? 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 College of Charleston than Auburn ($21,004 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 13.8% lower than at Auburn University ($14,332 vs. $16,626).
• College of Charleston is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $88 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at CofC than at Auburn University (about $3,374 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Auburn University (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Auburn University students is 21% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($10,872 vs. $8,983).

Auburn vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or CofC? 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 CofC and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 100 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at CofC (3.94).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Auburn vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and CofC? 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).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston and Auburn graduates have the same median loan debt ($21,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, College of Charleston and Auburn graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($222 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 60%)

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.