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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.
College of Charleston is a public four-year college located in Charleston, SC and set in an urban environment. This school uses 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%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into 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 school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Here are the most important facts you should know about admission at College of Charleston.
According to the newest 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 in cases when they are submitted by the candidate.
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 overall 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% between 800 and 999. The percent of 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 ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 27 while the average GPA was 4. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 629 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 596.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to this school is January 15. When submitting your application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for College of Charleston was 82% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by 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. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 11,926 students.
That year, the institution had 48.6% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 10,880, 103 of which were international students. 634 students enrolled 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.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at College of Charleston.
This school had 202 Asian students and 563 Afro-American students in 2025. 814 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 415 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who identified 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
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for College of Charleston.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $12,518, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $37,836 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $37,836, as well. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $460.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $37,836 | $460 | $38,296 |
| In-State | $12,518 | $460 | $12,978 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,530 for books and supplies during their time at College of Charleston.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at College of Charleston amounted to $14,332 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $9,032, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,948.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 12,518 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,332 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,530 |
| Total Expense | $ 28,380 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at College of Charleston, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 1,009 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $17,188.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,532 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The total 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 was $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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,888 students overall (including freshmen) at College of Charleston in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 687 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at College of Charleston was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 926. This number included 444 male and 482 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has 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 details about students' life at College of Charleston.
Its campus is 52 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 220 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 18% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 20 for female students. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Intramural Basketball, followed by Charleston Miracle and Black Student Union. Other popular organizations among the students at College of Charleston are Cougar Activities Board and Student Government Association.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? College of Charleston publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
College of Charleston offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has 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 highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for College of Charleston is 60%.
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The most recent reported 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.
