North Charleston, South Carolina Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for North Charleston, South Carolina shows: median public in-state tuition $21,782 (+295.2% vs national median) median graduate debt $11,740 (-12.6% vs U.S.) 489 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 3 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 489 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $21,782 (+295.2% vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $24,416 (+145.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $11,740 (-12.6% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in North Charleston, South Carolina—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against South Carolina and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

North Charleston vs South Carolina & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
North Charleston, South Carolina$21,782$24,416$11,740N/A489
South Carolina (state median)$7,558$11,376$15,91747.3%200,978
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: North Charleston, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
North Charleston, South CarolinaN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
South Carolina (state median)$44,99988.8%69.7%6.5%—66.0%0.55
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in South Carolina (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
North Charleston, South Carolina$21,782$24,416$11,740N/A489N/AN/A
Columbia$18,145$20,404$20,00030.6%35,532$36,68687.1%
Columbia$18,145$20,404$20,00030.6%35,532$36,68687.1%
Charleston$12,978$19,019$15,45863.9%27,311$64,25088.1%
Charleston$12,978$19,019$15,45863.9%27,311$64,25088.1%
Conway$8,054$13,966$15,91748.5%16,654$47,25878.5%
Conway$8,054$13,966$15,91748.5%16,654$47,25878.5%
Greenville$18,484$17,979$15,98842.8%15,579$44,35481.1%
Spartanburg$20,650$14,250$17,15552.3%13,262$48,58790.0%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

In-state tuition: North Charleston, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Sticker price

North Charleston, South Carolina median in-state tuition is $21,782, +295.2% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: North Charleston, South Carolina vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in North Charleston, South Carolina is $11,740 (-12.6% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

North Charleston, South Carolina median public in-state tuition is $21,782, about +295.2% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +336.3%.

Median graduate debt is $11,740 (-12.6% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

FAQ

How many colleges are in North Charleston?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 3 campuses in North Charleston, South Carolina with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in North Charleston?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in North Charleston is $21,782 and median net price is $24,416. For South Carolina overall, medians are $7,558 and $11,376; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in North Charleston?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in North Charleston is N/A vs $44,999 for South Carolina and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for North Charleston colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in North Charleston is $11,740 vs $15,917 for South Carolina and $13,432 nationally.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in North Charleston?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 3 College Scorecard campuses in North Charleston, South Carolina, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.

Sources & related