Charleston Southern University
#5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,898 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,666 D+
- 26% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $971,645.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Social mobility rate of 2.15% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Charleston Southern University Matters
Charleston Southern University is a private university in Charleston, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,893
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose Charleston Southern University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1160. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,666 a year after grants and scholarships — 26% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,898 ten years after enrolling — 13% above the typical college, against $26,471 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 24% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.35 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, Charleston Southern University is a welcoming place for students who are looking to explore various fields while receiving a supportive education. If you’re drawn to Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, or Psychology, this might be a solid fit. The smaller enrollment of around 2,893 means you’re likely to find a close-knit community, which can enrich your college experience and foster lasting connections.
After graduation, students from Charleston Southern can expect to earn an average of $45,898 within ten years. This figure illustrates the potential for a stable financial future, especially when considering the affordability of the school. With a net price of $21,666 after aid, it’s accessible for many. While the graduation rate is 48%, those who do complete their degree often see positive outcomes, suggesting that the support offered can help lift students up to new opportunities.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Charleston Southern, the median debt stands at $26,471. For many students, this is manageable, especially considering the average earnings post-graduation. Those who thrive here often appreciate the community atmosphere and the chance to engage deeply in their studies. It’s a place where students can develop both personally and academically, preparing them for the next steps in life.
Rankings
- #5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #10 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #14 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
- #15 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #18 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Charleston Southern University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Charleston Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Charleston Southern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,059. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- SAT Average
- 1059
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 930–1160
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,523
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 4,967
- Admitted
- 4,309
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Charleston Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Charleston Southern University is $32,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,666. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,145 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,471 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $32,520
- Out-of-State
- $32,520
- Avg Net Price
- $21,666
- Median Debt
- $26,471
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 48%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,145
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $23,024
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,697
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,226
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Charleston Southern University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Charleston Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $45,898, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,606
- 8 Years
- $43,795
- 10 Years
- $45,898
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
- 100% (192)
- 30%
How Charleston Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Charleston Southern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Charleston Southern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,666/year ($86,664 total). Graduates earn $45,898 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,058,309 in total earnings — a net gain of $971,645 (12.2× your investment). The median debt is $26,471, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $86,664
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,058,309
- Net Return
- $971,645
- ROI Multiple
- 12.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,666
- Median Debt
- $26,471
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Charleston Southern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Charleston Southern University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $95,785
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $3,963,861
Top Programs
The fields Charleston Southern University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 20% $67,569 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $55,357 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $33,058 early-career
- Education 8% $41,908 early-career
- Psychology 7% $30,968 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $30,968 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Criminal Justice 3% $44,638 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Charleston Southern University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Charleston Southern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Charleston Southern University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,059. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Charleston Southern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Charleston Southern University is $32,520, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,666. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,145 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,471 in federal student loans.
Is Charleston Southern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $45,898, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Charleston Southern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Charleston Southern University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.15%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Charleston Southern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Charleston Southern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Charleston Southern University.
- Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer38% grad $48,712 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · Close peer53% grad $45,099 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · Close peer43% grad $46,001 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · Close peer56% grad $46,885 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Close peer59% grad $45,856 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Husson UniversityBangor, ME · Close peer58% grad $45,025 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Charleston Southern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Charleston Southern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note