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. It has a campus size of 52 acres. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at College of Charleston is 79.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 65%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is June 1.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into College of Charleston.
Quick Facts
9,962
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
75%
Acceptance Rate
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
65%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Learn some relevant information about admission policy and requirements at College of Charleston.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 16,666 in 2023. College of Charleston has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 24% and ACT scores 14%. 7.6% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 46.9% between 1,200 and 1,399, 43.8% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.7% between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 25.2, 56.3 between 24-29, 16.8 in the range between 18-23, and 1.6 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 SAT Critical Reading average score was 621 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 593.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to College of Charleston is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is June 1.
75%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for College of Charleston was 79.9%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 65%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at College of Charleston in 2023 was 10,875.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 44.3. There was a total of 9,962 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 78 international students. The school admitted a total of 546 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,041 male and 6,413 female full-time students in 2023. This school had 85 full-time graduate male and 194 full-time graduate female students at this school.
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. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 188 Asian students and 542 Afro-American students in 2023. 692 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 374 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 152 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about College of Charleston estimated tuition price.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $12,518, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $35,338. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $35,338, as well. Full-time students in 2023 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $460.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $35,338 | $460 | $35,798 |
| In-State | $12,518 | $460 | $12,978 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial element. Most students have to allocate about $1,345 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. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At College of Charleston, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,761. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 stood at $8,764 for one academic year.
| Tuition | $ 12,518 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,761 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,345 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,624 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid available at College of Charleston.
According to the most recent data, 1,072 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $15,483 in financial help.
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.
There were 3,225 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 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
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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.
1,807 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 672 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at College of Charleston was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 112 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 71 male and 41 female faculty members.
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 details about students' life at College of Charleston.
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 225. That includes sororities and fraternities. 16 percent of male and 19 of female students are active in different organizations at College of Charleston. 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.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in 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 vital for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. 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 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. There is 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
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for College of Charleston is 75%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for College of Charleston is 79.9%.
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.