CSU vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or South Carolina State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Charleston Southern University vs. South Carolina State University comparison
Charleston Southern University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University South Carolina State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CSU South Carolina State University
Location Charleston, SC Orangeburg, SC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,418 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #918 #1011
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $29,490 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $29,490 $20,218
Room & Board $11,250 $9,000
Avg Net Price $17,536 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $26,417 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 96%

Admission

CSU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,967 6,833
Admitted 4,309 5,733
Acceptance Rate 86.8% 83.9%
Enrolled % 16.9% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 15/19
SAT Range 940/1170 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025

Academics

CSU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

CSU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 38% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $279 $343

Diversity

CSU South Carolina State University
% Men 36% 44%
% Women 64% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 61% 2%
% Black 26% 96%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

CSU South Carolina State University
% In-State 76% 77%
% Out-of-State 23% 23%

Campus

CSU South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Charleston Southern University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (3,418 students vs. 2,649 students)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or South Carolina State University?

  • Charleston Southern University is 209.5% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($29,490.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.9% higher at CSU than South Carolina State University ($29,490.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than CSU ($17,435 vs. $17,536)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 25% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($9,000 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University than South Carolina State University (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 66.4% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($26,417 vs. $15,873)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 270 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than South Carolina State University (83.9%)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or South Carolina State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Carolina State University and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than South Carolina State University (38% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn on average $8,800 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($39,800 vs. $31,000)
  • Charleston Southern University students graduate with a $6,205 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $33,205)
  • CSU graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($279 vs. $343)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/