CofC vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Charleston is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

CofC vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than CofC ($15,347 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 12.1% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,604 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $2,530 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.9% higher at CofC than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $19,784 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 11.7% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($10,038 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 120 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 29.2% at UTC.

CofC vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and UTC? 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $708 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($20,792 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.