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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.
Located in Charleston, SC and set in an urban environment, College of Charleston is a public four-year college. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 60%. The freshman retention rate at College of Charleston is 82% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about College of Charleston.
Quick Facts
10,880
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some essential 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 19,016 in 2025. College of Charleston has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them.
Test Scores
18% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 11% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 8% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 53% between 1,200 and 1,399, 35% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 28.1, 55.4 between 24-29 and 16.5 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 27 while the average GPA was 4. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into College of Charleston; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 629 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 596.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
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. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for College of Charleston was 82%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal fit for you is not simple. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at College of Charleston in 2025 was 11,926.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 48.6% for that year. There was a total of 10,880 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 103 international students. 634 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,290 male and 7,091 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 202 Asian students and 563 Afro-American students in 2025. 814 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 415 identified with more than one race. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 119 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on College of Charleston costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for College of Charleston is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $12,518. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $38,384 in 2025. If you are an international student at College of Charleston, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $38,384, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $460.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $38,384 | $460 | $38,844 |
| In-State | $12,518 | $460 | $12,978 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,560.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at College of Charleston was $15,653 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $10,143 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $10,876.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 12,518 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,653 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,560 |
| Total Expense | $ 29,731 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at College of Charleston, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,009 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $17,188 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 3,532 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 4,173. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $15,396,974, and state $10,445,325. The students of College of Charleston received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $17,076,102, and external in the amount of $1,889,966.
$13,185
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for 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.
1,888 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 687 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $18,772,037. 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 $1,782,630 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at College of Charleston was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. According to the most recent information, there are 926 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 444 male and 482 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
Not everything at College of Charleston is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at College of Charleston.
Its campus is 52 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 220. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 18 and female students 20. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students 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.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students who have a passion for media and communication, College of Charleston publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
College of Charleston has a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs 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 excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 46,750 USD.
$46,750
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 60%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for College of Charleston is 82%.
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.