College of Charleston campus

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CofC Demographics & Diversity

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  • 4 Year
  • Charleston, SC
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#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 33%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at CofC are mostly White with a small Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 20% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of College of Charleston students
Race Percent of Students
White
80%
Black
7%
Hispanic
5%
Asian
2%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
4%
International
1%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 43%

There are 116% more female students than male students enrolled at College of Charleston with a gender ratio of 68% women to 32% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, CofC has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for College of Charleston students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
32%
Women
68%
Enrollment by gender for College of Charleston students
Gender Number of Students
Men
3,770
Women
8,156

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Medium

Geographic Diversity Index: 57%

CofC draws 43 percent of students from South Carolina, 56 percent from other states, and 1 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside South Carolina, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for College of Charleston students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
43%
Out of State
56%
Foreign
1%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$66,962 per year

19% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

11,926
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 8.4%
Part-time undergraduates 5.4%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to College of Charleston often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217819.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026