CofC vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, SC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

CofC vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($21,004 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 5.6% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,534 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $290 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at CofC than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $2,324 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of South Carolina Columbia (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 25.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($8,983 vs. $7,139).

CofC vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 40 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

CofC vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.