College of Charleston

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Charleston, SC
0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

11,926

Location Charleston, South Carolina
Website charleston.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Midsize City

Best Colleges Rank

#384

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

CofC is rated within the top 40% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

5 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

5 out of 10

Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for College of Charleston within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#384
Best Public Colleges in the U.S.

#107
Best Colleges in South Carolina

#6
Best Public Colleges in South Carolina

#4
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#490
Best Value Colleges in South Carolina

#6

Learn how rankings are calculated

Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1140/1310
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 25/30
GPA 3.94

Acceptance Rate

60%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 11.9%
Application Fee $60

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

South Carolina Resident Tuition

$12,978

Out of State Resident Tuition

$38,296

Breakdown

Tuition $12,978
Books and Supplies $1,530
Other Fees $460
Room and Board $14,332
Budget for Other Expenses $4,849
Total One Year Cost $34,149

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$46,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

63% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at College of Charleston are Business, Social Sciences, and Education. 23% of students major in Business, 11% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Education.