CSU Admission Requirements
- 3/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Charleston, SC
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CSU Admission Overview
CSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CSU admitted 96.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 930-1160 / ACT 18-24. CSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
CSU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Charleston Southern University
Acceptance Rate
The CSU acceptance rate is 96.5%. Last year, 4,495 of 4,660 applicants were admitted. That is the 31st lowest acceptance rate in South Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CSU and can you get accepted?
CSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Estimated High School GPA CollegeSimply estimate of incoming freshman GPA on a 4.0 scale.
3.24*Typical High School Grades Letter grade for the estimated average, not a cutoff.
B+Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.24*
Average GPA
CSU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.24 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. CSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.
*3.24 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.
CSU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
930-1160Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
49%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 480
- Math 450
- Composite 930
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 560
- Composite 1160
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CSU typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 930–1160) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. CSU ranks #20 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 930 to 1160
SAT policy
CSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
18-24Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
31%25th Percentile Scores
- English 16
- Math 17
- Composite 18
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 24
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CSU typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CSU places #17 among colleges in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24
ACT policy
You may apply to CSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the CSU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Charleston Southern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Charleston Southern University is $25.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 96.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (930-1160); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Charleston Southern University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217688.
GPA calculator: Charleston Southern University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026