CofC vs. PC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

CofC vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 CofC ($20,840 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Presbyterian College are 5.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,579 vs. $14,332).
• Presbyterian College is 246% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $31,932 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.3% higher at PC than at College of Charleston (about $6,614 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 338% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($39,345 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. PC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 140 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at PC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; PC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at PC (3.6).
• PC has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 11.6% at PC.

CofC vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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 College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $4,608 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($222 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 60%)

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.