Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Online | cofc.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university spread across an urban campus featuring a mix of 18th-century architecture and modern facilities. Founded in 1770, making it one of the oldest colleges in the United States, the institution operates from its original campus centered around Randolph Hall, a National Historic Landmark. The College maintains selective admission standards and offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in marine biology, business, education, and arts management, leveraging its coastal location for research opportunities. Students typically reside in historic houses converted to residence halls or modern dormitories within the campus footprint, integrated among the city's cobblestone streets and antebellum buildings, while the College competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Cougars.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CofC is rated within the top 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for College of Charleston within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#428 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#124 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in South Carolina
#4 in Best Public Colleges in South Carolina
#552 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Value Colleges in South Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1130/1300 |
| ACT | 24/30 |
| GPA | 3.94 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,345 |
| Other Fees | $460 |
| Room and Board | $12,986 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,169 |
| Total One Year Cost | $31,478 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,345 |
| Other Fees | $460 |
| Room and Board | $12,986 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,169 |
| Total One Year Cost | $54,298 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 23% |
| Social Sciences | 11% |
| Education | 10% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Biology | 9% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about College of Charleston.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217819 IPEDS survey data for College of Charleston.
Current students may use the College of Charleston GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024