College of Charleston is a public 4-year college in Charleston, South Carolina with 10,558 undergraduates. It admits 60% of applicants, costs an average of $18,177 a year after grants and graduates 65% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
College of Charleston acceptance rate and admissions
College of Charleston admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 590 to 670, math 550 to 640). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
College of Charleston application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Early decision II | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Early action | Nov 2, 2026 |
| Regular decision | Jan 15, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early decision, Nov 2, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: $60 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on College of Charleston’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
College of Charleston tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $12,978 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $38,844 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $15,653 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $33,689 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $18,177 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $18,177 a year after grants and scholarships, $15,512 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run College of Charleston's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
College of Charleston graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 65% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $63,018 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $20,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 33% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
College of Charleston majors and what graduates earn
College of Charleston awarded bachelor's degrees in 54 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer and information sciences ($98,059).
All 54 majors at College of Charleston
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and information sciences | 40 | $74,524 | $98,059 | $21,896 |
| Information science | 18 | $64,909 | $93,285 | $26,500 |
| Accounting | 38 | $55,543 | $85,826 | $20,500 |
| Finance | 66 | $61,455 | $84,187 | $19,250 |
| International business | 29 | $53,863 | $76,727 | $20,192 |
| Business administration | 227 | $53,792 | $71,360 | $21,125 |
| Marketing | 89 | $50,407 | $68,348 | $20,500 |
| Hospitality management | 24 | $46,379 | $64,154 | $13,000 |
| Geology and earth sciences | 26 | n/a | $63,993 | $27,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 29 | $30,271 | $60,468 | $23,500 |
| Political science | 82 | $39,641 | $58,955 | $19,500 |
| Communication | 191 | $42,620 | $58,371 | $20,000 |
| Physiology | 74 | $32,301 | $58,317 | $19,500 |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | 23 | $34,200 | $57,635 | n/a |
| Romance languages | 26 | $44,675 | $56,122 | $15,875 |
| Public health | 103 | $37,169 | $55,660 | $19,625 |
| Biology | 168 | $36,558 | $55,342 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | 10 | $52,768 | $54,942 | n/a |
| Anthropology | 19 | $33,530 | $53,567 | $19,250 |
| Arts management | 50 | $36,507 | $52,674 | $19,500 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 21 | $52,173 | $52,596 | $26,500 |
| English | 51 | $37,530 | $51,705 | $21,500 |
| Sociology | 40 | $34,238 | $48,709 | $22,000 |
| Psychology | 189 | $35,567 | $47,926 | $21,500 |
| History | 59 | $37,444 | $47,424 | $21,875 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 88 | $44,614 | $46,036 | $19,500 |
| Theater | 27 | $37,437 | $44,991 | $22,625 |
| Ecology and evolutionary biology | 40 | $23,809 | $42,466 | $23,563 |
| Fine and studio arts | 41 | $31,372 | $38,378 | $22,275 |
| Real Estate | 38 | $49,551 | n/a | $18,700 |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 30 | $59,940 | n/a | $22,000 |
| Archeology | 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 19 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Economics | 17 | $60,428 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 16 | $45,870 | n/a | n/a |
| Special education | 14 | $46,409 | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 13 | $44,523 | n/a | n/a |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Astronomy | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Data science | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dance | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | $44,791 | n/a | n/a |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Area Studies | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental science | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Systems Engineering | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrical engineering | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Computer engineering | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at College of Charleston
18 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 18 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | Master's | 49 | $77,335 | $23,323 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 33 | $50,828 | $29,802 |
| Environmental science | Master's | 25 | $58,037 | $41,000 |
| Public administration | Master's | 20 | $61,020 | $41,000 |
| Ecology and evolutionary biology | Master's | 18 | n/a | n/a |
| Accounting | Master's | 14 | $70,624 | n/a |
| Public relations and advertising | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Human development and family studies | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| History | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer science | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Data science | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Art and design, general | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| City and regional planning | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 10,558 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 68% women, 32% men
- 16 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at College of Charleston?
College of Charleston admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does College of Charleston cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $12,978 for in-state students and $38,844 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $18,177 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for College of Charleston?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 590 to 670 in reading and writing and 550 to 640 in math, and 25 to 30 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is College of Charleston test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, College of Charleston reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at College of Charleston?
65% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do College of Charleston graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $63,018 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in South Carolina · colleges in Charleston · College of Charleston on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.