UNC Charlotte vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than CofC based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte than CofC ($15,045 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Charleston are 0.9% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($14,332 vs. $14,458).
• College of Charleston is 79.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $5,739 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at CofC than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $15,804 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (95% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 12.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($8,983 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. CofC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 10 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming CofC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 11.9% at CofC.

UNC Charlotte vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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, College of Charleston graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.