Admit rate has ranged 72%–78% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The College of Charleston is a historic public university where Spanish moss-draped courtyards meet rigorous academics—think liberal arts college charm with the energy of a coastal city. Known for its strong business and communications programs, the school draws students who want both a tight-knit campus and access to Charleston’s vibrant culture. While its graduation rates lag slightly behind national averages, its location and 240+ student organizations make it a magnet for those who prioritize experience alongside education.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
10,558
In-state tuition
$12,978
Out-of-state tuition
$38,296
Student Clubs
240+
Acceptance Rate
60-72%
Early-Career Earnings
$36,427
4-Year Grad Rate (Women)
61%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,416
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.0×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
66%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
60%
Pell (lower-income) share
49%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$13,971
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$65,238
Finance and Financial Management Services$52,941
Mathematics$46,478
Accounting and Related Services$43,519
Marketing$43,000
International Business$42,930
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
12
Per 1,000 students
1.14
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
130
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
46°F
Annual rain
58.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
220
Scholarly works
11,486
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.0%
Bottom → top quintile
23%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at College of Charleston?
College of Charleston's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Charleston, SC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for College of Charleston?
Admitted students at College of Charleston typically score 1140–1310 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does College of Charleston cost?
At College of Charleston, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,960 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend College of Charleston?
College of Charleston enrolls approximately 10,558 undergraduate students.
Where is College of Charleston located?
College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC.
Admissions
The College of Charleston is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 60-72% in recent years. The median SAT scores for admitted students hover around 1210 for in-state applicants and 1260 for out-of-state, while ACT medians are 26 (in-state) and 28 (out-of-state). Notably, the Class of 2029 included 9 in-state valedictorians, signaling a competitive edge for top-tier local applicants. Early decision is available, though the school doesn’t offer early action. Transfer admissions are also robust, with a focus on completed, actionable applications.
With 69 majors, 88 minors, and 20 master’s programs, the College of Charleston leans heavily into liberal arts and professional fields. Business Administration, Speech Communication, and Psychology are the most popular majors, each accounting for 9% of degrees conferred. The academic vibe is described as solid but unexceptional by some students, with strengths in experiential learning (8,000+ opportunities) and a focus on undergraduate teaching. Graduate offerings are limited, with just three doctoral programs, reinforcing its identity as an undergraduate-centric institution.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Economics
$41,937
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,688
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life here revolves around Charleston’s cobblestone streets as much as campus. With 240+ clubs—from film societies to environmental groups—students can dive into niche interests. The social scene skews more toward community events than raucous parties, per Niche reviews. Traditions like Cougar Night (a welcome bash) and campus-wide oyster roasts lean into Southern charm. The city itself acts as a backdrop, offering internships at tech startups, historic tours, and a food scene that’s a classroom for hospitality majors.
Four-year graduation rates sit at 61% for women and 47% for men, with disparities by race and financial aid status. Post-grad, 95% of alumni are employed within a year, though early-career earnings average $36,427—below some peer institutions. About 70% complete internships, leveraging Charleston’s job market in tourism, finance, and the arts. The outcomes suggest a trade-off: strong local networks and hands-on experience, but less brand recognition outside the Southeast.
The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $21,193 after aid, with 41% of students receiving financial aid packages averaging $18,081. Need-based grants and scholarships are emphasized over loans, though the calculator shows significant variability by family income. Out-of-state students face higher costs, but the school’s NPC tool helps families gauge affordability early. Notably, the average net price paid ($21,004) reflects aggressive discounting for middle-income applicants.
Charleston’s magic lies in its contradictions: a public university with the intimacy of a private college (11:1 student-faculty ratio), set in a city that’s both a living history museum and a booming tech hub. Its marine biology program benefits from coastal access, while business majors network with Fortune 500 companies headquartered downtown. The downside? Academics aren’t Ivy-rigorous, but for students who want to blend classroom learning with real-world hustle—say, interning at a gallery by day, shucking oysters at a campus event by night—it’s a singular choice.
College of Charleston logo · sourceCollege of Charleston Named 'Most Beautiful Campus' in South Carolina · sourceCofC Named America's Most Beautiful College Campus - The College Today · sourceCollege of Charleston | Visitor Information · source
