Spelman vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA 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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Spelman vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Spelman ($21,080 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 32.6% lower than at Spelman College ($12,200 vs. $18,091).
• Charleston Southern University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $964 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CSU than at Spelman College (about $964 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Spelman College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 119% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($23,240 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 160 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Spelman vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University and Spelman graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Charleston Southern University and Spelman graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 47%)

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.