Montreat College vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

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

Charleston Southern University is larger than Montreat College based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 962 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montreat College is located in Montreat, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Montreat College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montreat College 11:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

Montreat College vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montreat College 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 Charleston Southern University than Montreat College ($21,080 vs. $28,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montreat College are 2.5% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($11,890 vs. $12,200).
• Montreat College is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $3,930 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Montreat College than at Charleston Southern University (about $3,930 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Montreat College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Montreat College students ($23,240 vs. $18,992).

Montreat College vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montreat College (1130) is 80 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming Montreat College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montreat College 1030/1220; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montreat College 21/28; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montreat College - Test-free; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Montreat College (3.07).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Montreat College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Montreat College vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Montreat College vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montreat College 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 Montreat College's (35%).
• Graduates from Montreat College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montreat College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Montreat College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Montreat College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 50%)

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.