College of Charleston
#2 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,416 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,960 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 60% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Online Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,496,994.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why College of Charleston Matters
College of Charleston is a public university in Charleston, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. 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
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 10,558
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Psychology
Why students choose College of Charleston
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
Competitive — admits about 60% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1140–1310. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,960 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,416 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.66 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 10,500 students, College of Charleston caters to those seeking a vibrant campus life in a historic city. It’s an appealing choice for students interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Biology, Communications, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The acceptance rate of 60% suggests that while it’s competitive, there’s room for many to join this community.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $56,416 within ten years. This figure is significant because it indicates the potential for a comfortable lifestyle, especially for graduates who enter high-demand fields. Affordability is also a factor; with a net price of $18,960, it becomes more accessible for many families, especially given the 19% of students receiving Pell Grants.
On the financial side, the median debt upon graduation stands at $23,250. This is a manageable figure compared to the earning potential, which can make the prospect of repayment less daunting. Students who thrive here often embrace a community-focused mindset and take advantage of Charleston's rich cultural and academic opportunities, which can enhance their educational experience and career readiness.
Rankings
- #2 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #3 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #4 Best Colleges in South Carolina
- #4 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #4 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #4 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #4 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective College of Charleston 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 College of Charleston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, College of Charleston offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,247. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1247
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1140–1310
- ACT Range
- 25–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,384
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.37
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 22,020
- Admitted
- 16,666
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard College of Charleston is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 12% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 12%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 18%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 11%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 53.5%
- vs 60.0% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 752 Early Decision applicants, 402 were admitted — a 53.5% admit rate, roughly 0.9× the 60.0% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 18% of the entering class (402 of 2,265 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 29% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 College of Charleston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of Charleston is $38,296, 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 $18,960. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,133 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,978
- Out-of-State
- $38,296
- Avg Net Price
- $18,960
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,133
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,406
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,797
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,996
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 College of Charleston — 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 College of Charleston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of Charleston earn a median of $56,416, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,821
- 8 Years
- $50,232
- 10 Years
- $56,416
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,227)
- 57%
- 100% (1,227)
- 57%
- 100% (1,227)
- 57%
- 100% (1,227)
- 57%
How College 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 College of Charleston Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, College of Charleston delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,960/year ($75,840 total). Graduates earn $56,416 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,572,834 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,496,994 (20.7× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,840
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,572,834
- Net Return
- $1,496,994
- ROI Multiple
- 20.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,960
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
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 College of Charleston Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
College of Charleston is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.95%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $162,359
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,378,315
- Investment Income
- $-4,888,297
Top Programs
The fields College of Charleston 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.
- Business & Marketing 28% $62,904 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $31,842 early-career
- Communications 9% $43,321 early-career
- Psychology 9% $32,862 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $49,829 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $33,058 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $37,422 early-career
- Education 4% $40,194 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 College of Charleston'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into College of Charleston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, College of Charleston offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 60% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,247. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend College of Charleston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at College of Charleston is $38,296, 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 $18,960. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,133 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is College of Charleston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of College of Charleston earn a median of $56,416, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does College of Charleston Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
College of Charleston is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is College of Charleston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of Charleston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does College of Charleston offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. College of Charleston offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 53%, about 0.9 times the overall 60% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 18% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if College of Charleston is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is College of Charleston really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 29% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at College of Charleston (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at College of Charleston?
About 12% of admitted students choose to enroll at College of Charleston — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to College of Charleston.
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC · Close peer71% grad $54,967 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of VermontBurlington, VT · Close peer79% grad $62,472 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · Close peer60% grad $55,874 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- State University of New York at CortlandCortland, NY · Close peer68% grad $60,236 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA · Close peer66% grad $53,032 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is College of Charleston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at College of Charleston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note