CofC Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Charleston, SC
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CofC Admission Overview
CofC admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year CofC admitted 60% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (A) and SAT 1140-1310 / ACT 25-30. CofC 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
CofC is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
CofC 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.
Low
Admission difficulty for College of Charleston
Acceptance Rate
The CofC acceptance rate is 60%. Last year, 19,016 of 31,680 applicants were admitted. That is the 6th lowest acceptance rate in South Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CofC and can you get accepted?
CofC is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
College of Charleston typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.94. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CofC GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.94Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
AAverage GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.94
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CofC typically have around a 3.94 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. CofC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
47% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #3 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CofC Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The College of Charleston is test-optional for first-year applicants. SAT or ACT scores are not required; send them only if you want them included in admission and merit review. Unofficial scores are accepted for the decision, and official reports are due by June 1 if you enroll. Homeschooled applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores unless they have completed dual-enrollment, AP, or IB classes. GED applicants are not required to send scores, though a recent score is recommended.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://charleston.edu/admission/apply/undergraduate/index.php
CofC SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1140-1310Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 590
- Math 550
- Composite 1140
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 640
- Composite 1310
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CofC typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1140–1310) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. CofC ranks #5 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1140 to 1310
SAT policy
CofC 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 1230 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
CofC 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.
25-30Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
11%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 21
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English 31
- Math 27
- Composite 30
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CofC typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 25–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CofC places #5 among colleges in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 30
ACT policy
You may apply to CofC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 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
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
82% of College of Charleston freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
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 CofC 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 College of Charleston and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to College of Charleston is $60.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CofC is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 60% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1140-1310); 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 College of Charleston often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217819.
GPA calculator: College of Charleston GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026