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College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
The College of Charleston, located in Charleston, South Carolina, is a public liberal arts and sciences university that dates back to 1770, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. With its historic campus situated in the heart of downtown Charleston, the college offers students a unique blend of academic excellence, coastal beauty, and a vibrant city atmosphere. The College of Charleston is recognized for its strong commitment to undergraduate education, offering a wide range of majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs across various academic disciplines.
At the College of Charleston, students benefit from a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, ensuring personalized attention and close mentorship from renowned professors who are experts in their fields. The college offers over 60 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as numerous graduate programs and certificates across various areas of study. Whether students are interested in business, the arts and sciences, education, healthcare, or social sciences, the College of Charleston provides opportunities for intellectual growth, professional development, and a well-rounded education.
Beyond the classroom, the College of Charleston offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities that cater to diverse interests. Students can participate in intramural sports, academic clubs, cultural and performance organizations, and community service initiatives. The college's location in downtown Charleston also provides students with ample opportunities to explore the city's rich history, art scene, culinary delights, and breathtaking coastal landscapes. With its commitment to academic excellence, strong sense of community, and vibrant campus life, the College of Charleston is a top choice for students seeking a transformative and well-rounded college experience.
College of Charleston is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Charleston, SC and set in an urban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 72%. The freshman retention rate at College of Charleston is 82.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 65%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Here are some latest information on important things to consider about College of Charleston.
Quick Facts
10,660
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
72%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
65%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Learn some relevant information about admission at College of Charleston.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 19,212 in 2024. College of Charleston has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
21% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 11% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 7% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 51% between 1,200 and 1,399, 39% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3% between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 19, 62 between 24-29, 18 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 621 and an average SAT Math score of 593.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. When submitting your application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
72%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for College of Charleston was 82.3%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 65%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right fit for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 11,729 students.
That year, the institution had 47.8% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 10,660 undergraduate students, including 87 international students. 640 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,206 male and 6,949 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 85 full-time graduate male and 194 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at College of Charleston.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 211, and the number of Black American students was 560. 731 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 415 identified with more than one race. The school also had 6 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 217 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $12,518 for area residents. Tuition fees were $36,398 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $36,398, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $460 in 2024.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $36,398 | $460 | $36,858 |
| In-State | $12,518 | $460 | $12,978 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,454.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at College of Charleston was $14,032 in 2024. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $9,032, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $10,372.
| Tuition | $ 12,518 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,032 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,454 |
| Total Expense | $ 28,004 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at College of Charleston.
The most recent records show that 1,072 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,483.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
3,225 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 4,041. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $10,437,726, and state $9,564,305. The students of College of Charleston received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $13,821,437, and external in the amount of $1,354,150.
$13,287
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,807 students overall (including freshmen) at College of Charleston in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 672 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $17,155,714. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,847,316 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at College of Charleston was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 926. This number included 450 male and 476 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at College of Charleston.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about campus life at College of Charleston.
Its campus is 52 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 225. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 16 and female students 19. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Intramural Basketball, followed by Charleston Miracle and Black Student Union. Other popular student organizations at this school are Cougar Activities Board and Student Government Association.
If acting is an interest of yours, there is a drama club you can join. Interested in media and communication? College of Charleston publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At College of Charleston, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of College of Charleston.
All in all, campus life at College of Charleston is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at College of Charleston.
Career Counselling
At College of Charleston, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 47,523 USD.
$47,523
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for College of Charleston is 72%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for College of Charleston is 82.3%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.