CSU vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

CSU vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($21,004 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 14.9% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,200 vs. $14,332).
• Charleston Southern University is 150.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $19,542 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at CofC than at Charleston Southern University (about $5,776 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at College of Charleston (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 158.7% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($23,240 vs. $8,983).

CSU vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 180 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming CofC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 11.9% at CofC.

CSU vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More CofC 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.