CSU vs. PC

Comparable Facts

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

Charleston Southern University is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

CSU vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or PC? 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 Presbyterian College than CSU ($20,840 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 10.2% lower than at Presbyterian College ($12,200 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 38.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $12,390 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at PC than at Charleston Southern University (about $12,390 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 69.3% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($39,345 vs. $23,240).

CSU vs. PC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or PC? 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 PC and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Presbyterian College (1090) is 40 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming PC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; PC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 11.6% at PC.

CSU vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and PC? 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Presbyterian College graduates have a $892 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,108 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($269 vs. $279).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.