Charleston Southern University

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Charleston, SC
  • 0 reviews
#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

Overview

Total enrollment

3,832
Charleston Southern University overview
Charleston Southern University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Charleston Southern University, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, sits on a 300-acre campus approximately 16 miles from downtown Charleston's historic district. Founded in 1964 as Baptist College, this private Christian institution serves as the largest independent university in South Carolina. The campus features modern academic buildings and residential facilities surrounded by pine trees and lakes, with all first-year students required to live in on-campus housing. CSU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in nursing, business, education, and Christian studies, while maintaining a faith-based educational approach integrated throughout its curriculum. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big South Conference, with its Buccaneers teams participating in 16 varsity sports.

Ratings

CSU is rated within the lower 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    3 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Charleston Southern University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 930/1160
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/24

Acceptance Rate

96.5%
Charleston Southern University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 17.7%
  • Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$32,520
Costs for Charleston Southern University
Fee Cost
Tuition $32,520
Books and Supplies $0
Other Fees $650
Room and Board $12,200
Budget for Other Expenses $3,070
Total One Year Cost $48,440

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$39,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

38% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Charleston Southern University are Business, Education, and Psychology. 24% of students major in Business, 11% in Education, and 10% in Psychology.

  • Business 24%
  • Education 11%
  • Psychology 10%
  • Health Professions 8%
  • Biology 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Charleston Southern University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217688.

GPA calculator: Charleston Southern University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026