CSU vs. UofSC

Should I go to Charleston Southern University or University of South Carolina Columbia? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or UofSC 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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Clemson Georgia CofC Virginia Tech NC State Auburn Florida State Tennessee Penn State UNC Chapel Hill IU Coastal Carolina
Charleston Southern University vs. University of South Carolina Columbia comparison
Charleston Southern University University of South Carolina Columbia College 3 College 4
Charleston Southern University University of South Carolina Columbia
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CSU UofSC
Location Charleston, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,418 35,653
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #918 #208
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuniv.edu sc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU UofSC
Tuition (In State) $29,490 $12,288
Tuition (Out of State) $29,490 $33,528
Room & Board $11,250 $11,780
Avg Net Price $17,536 $22,427
Avg Grant Aid $26,417 $6,880
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

CSU UofSC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,967 42,188
Admitted 4,309 27,022
Acceptance Rate 86.8% 64.1%
Enrolled % 16.9% 24.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.69
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/23 27/32
SAT Range 940/1170 1180/1380
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 1, 2024

Academics

CSU UofSC
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

CSU UofSC
Graduation Rate 38% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,800 $51,700
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

CSU UofSC
% Men 36% 42%
% Women 64% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 77%
% Black 26% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

CSU UofSC
% In-State 76% 52%
% Out-of-State 23% 47%

Campus

CSU UofSC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (35,653 students vs. 3,418 students)

CSU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or UofSC?

  • Charleston Southern University is 140% more expensive to attend than UofSC for in-state tuition ($29,490.00 vs. $12,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at UofSC than Charleston Southern University ($33,528.00 vs. $29,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than UofSC ($17,536 vs. $22,427)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 4.7% lower than costs at University of South Carolina Columbia ($11,250 vs. $11,780)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University than University of South Carolina Columbia (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 284% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($26,417 vs. $6,880)

CSU vs. UofSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 190 points higher than at CSU (1030)
  • Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at CSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than UofSC (64.1%)

CSU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or UofSC? 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 UofSC and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than Charleston Southern University (70% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn on average $11,900 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($51,700 vs. $39,800)
  • University of South Carolina Columbia students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • UofSC graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 50%)

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