Georgia State vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia State University is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia State University 25:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Georgia State vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State or CofC? 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 Georgia State University than CofC ($16,854 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 6.6% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,392 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 49.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $4,314 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at CofC than at Georgia State University (about $13,456 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Georgia State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia State University students is 34.2% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($12,052 vs. $8,983).

Georgia State vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 170 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming CofC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Georgia State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 940/1180; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Georgia State vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State and CofC? 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 Georgia State University's (47%).
• Graduates of Georgia State University and CofC have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $46,200), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $2,199 lower median loan debt than Georgia State graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia State graduates ($222 vs. $245).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 45%)

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.