Guilford College vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Charleston is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Guilford College vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 College of Charleston than Guilford College ($21,004 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 6.5% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,400 vs. $14,332).
• Guilford College is 218.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $28,384 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Guilford College than at College of Charleston (about $3,066 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $38,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 272% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($33,419 vs. $8,983).

Guilford College vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 40 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming CofC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Guilford College vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,135 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($222 vs. $275).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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.