CofC vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CofC vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or USD? 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 University of South Dakota than CofC ($19,133 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 27.7% lower than at College of Charleston ($10,356 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $3,546 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 195.9% higher at CofC than at University of South Dakota (about $25,354 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of South Dakota (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 59.8% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($8,983 vs. $5,623).

CofC vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 10 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming CofC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 24.1% at USD.

CofC vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC and USD? 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 University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.