CSU vs. UIW

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC with University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Incarnate Word is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (7,047 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); University of the Incarnate Word is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Incarnate Word is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; University of the Incarnate Word 12:1.

CSU vs. UIW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or UIW? 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 UIW ($21,080 vs. $23,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 14.7% lower than at University of the Incarnate Word ($12,200 vs. $14,296).
• University of the Incarnate Word is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $4,570 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at UIW than at Charleston Southern University (about $4,570 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Incarnate Word than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Incarnate Word students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($25,354 vs. $23,240).

CSU vs. UIW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 30 points higher than at UIW (1020).
• Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at UIW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; University of the Incarnate Word 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; University of the Incarnate Word 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; UIW - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UIW students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.24).
• UIW has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than CSU (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 9.1% at UIW.

CSU vs. UIW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and UIW? 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).

• University of the Incarnate Word's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of the Incarnate Word earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University graduates have a $179 lower median loan debt than UIW graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,179).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIW graduates ($279 vs. $281).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIW students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 48%)

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.