Fayetteville State University vs. CSU

Deciding between Fayetteville State University and Charleston Southern University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Fayetteville State University
Charleston Southern University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC
  • CSU Charleston, SC
  • Setting
  • Fayetteville State University Midsize City
  • CSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fayetteville State University 7,107
  • CSU 3,832
  • Type
  • Fayetteville State University Public 4 Year
  • CSU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fayetteville State University #995
  • CSU #952
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fayetteville State University -
  • CSU Baptist
  • Status
  • Fayetteville State University Non-profit
  • CSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fayetteville State University
  • CSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fayetteville State University $4,353
  • CSU $32,520
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fayetteville State University $8,353
  • CSU $32,520
  • Room & Board
  • Fayetteville State University $11,449
  • CSU $12,200
  • Average Net Price
  • Fayetteville State University $7,811
  • CSU $21,080
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fayetteville State University $8,777
  • CSU $23,240
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fayetteville State University 90%
  • CSU 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fayetteville State University 6,515
  • CSU 4,660
  • Admitted
  • Fayetteville State University 5,352
  • CSU 4,495
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fayetteville State University 82.1%
  • CSU 96.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Fayetteville State University 14.8%
  • CSU 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fayetteville State University 990
  • CSU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fayetteville State University 17
  • CSU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fayetteville State University 3.11
  • CSU 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fayetteville State University B
  • CSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fayetteville State University Extremely Easy
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fayetteville State University
  • CSU
  • ACT Range
  • Fayetteville State University 15/19
  • CSU 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • Fayetteville State University 890/1090
  • CSU 930/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fayetteville State University Test optional
  • CSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027
  • CSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fayetteville State University 20:1
  • CSU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fayetteville State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • Education (11%)
  • CSU
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fayetteville State University 31%
  • CSU 38%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fayetteville State University $32,500
  • CSU $39,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fayetteville State University 28%
  • CSU 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fayetteville State University $22,161
  • CSU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fayetteville State University $229
  • CSU $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fayetteville State University 32%
  • CSU 37%
  • % Women
  • Fayetteville State University 68%
  • CSU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fayetteville State University Medium
  • CSU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • CSU No
  • % White
  • Fayetteville State University 19%
  • CSU 61%
  • % Asian
  • Fayetteville State University 1%
  • CSU 2%
  • % Black
  • Fayetteville State University 64%
  • CSU 26%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fayetteville State University 6%
  • CSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Fayetteville State University 3%
  • CSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • CSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • CSU 2%
  • % International
  • Fayetteville State University 0%
  • CSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fayetteville State University 6%
  • CSU 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fayetteville State University 75%
  • CSU 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fayetteville State University 21%
  • CSU 28%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fayetteville State University No
  • CSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fayetteville State University Yes
  • CSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fayetteville State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (7,107 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
  • Fayetteville State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fayetteville State University 20:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

Fayetteville State University vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fayetteville State University or CSU? 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 Fayetteville State University than CSU ($7,811 vs. $21,080).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fayetteville State University are 6.2% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($11,449 vs. $12,200).
  • Charleston Southern University is 647.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fayetteville State University (about $28,167 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $4,353.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 289.3% higher at CSU than at Fayetteville State University (about $24,167 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $8,353.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Fayetteville State University (98% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 164.8% larger than aid received by Fayetteville State University students ($23,240 vs. $8,777).

Fayetteville State University vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fayetteville State University or CSU? 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 CSU and Fayetteville State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Fayetteville State University (990).
  • Incoming CSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Fayetteville State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 890/1090; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fayetteville State University 15/19; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fayetteville State University - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fayetteville State University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Fayetteville State University (3.11).
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Fayetteville State University (82.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Fayetteville State University vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Fayetteville State University vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fayetteville State University and CSU? 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).

  • Charleston Southern University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Fayetteville State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Fayetteville State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have a $4,839 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,161 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fayetteville State University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($229 vs. $279).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fayetteville State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 28%)

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.