CSU vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

Charleston Southern University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; Randolph College 8:1.

CSU vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($21,080 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 1.2% lower than at Randolph College ($12,200 vs. $12,350).
• Charleston Southern University is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Randolph (about $2,210 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at CSU than at Randolph College (about $2,210 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($23,372 vs. $23,240).

CSU vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 110 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming Randolph students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Randolph (93.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

CSU vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Randolph College and CSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Randolph College and CSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.