CofC vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CofC vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Roanoke College? 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 College of Charleston than Roanoke College ($21,004 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 6.7% lower than at Roanoke College ($14,332 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 193.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $25,090 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at CofC than at Roanoke College (about $228 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 213.8% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($28,188 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College and CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 30 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming CofC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Roanoke College (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

CofC vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College 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.