LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA 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 LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 11,873 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, LA (Distant Town setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Louisiana Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana Tech University 21:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 Louisiana Tech University than CofC ($12,325 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana Tech University are 32.9% lower than at College of Charleston ($9,618 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (about $2,853 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $10,125.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.1% higher at CofC than at Louisiana Tech University (about $21,430 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $16,866.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana Tech University as at College of Charleston (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana Tech University students is 35.2% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($12,149 vs. $8,983).

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 20 points higher than at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (1210).
• Incoming CofC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 1100/1310; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 21/27; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (3.58).
• LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. 11.9% at CofC.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 Louisiana Tech University's (49%).
• Graduates from Louisiana Tech University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana Tech University graduates have a $1,635 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($19,865 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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.