Charleston Southern Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Charleston Southern University is a private research university in Charleston, South Carolina, serving roughly 2,893 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 96.46% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,898 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $32,520
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,666 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 96.46% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,893 93.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 47.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 30.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 24.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 58.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1059
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,556
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,072
- Room & Board: $12,200 annual estimate
Charleston Southern University: what the data shows
Common questions about Charleston Southern University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Charleston Southern University?
Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (ZIP 29406-9121).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Charleston Southern University public or private?
Charleston Southern University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Charleston Southern University cost?
Published tuition: $32,520.
Average net price after aid: $21,666.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $20,145 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $23,024 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $20,697 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,648 |
| $110,001+ | $23,226 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $130,080.
How hard is it to get into Charleston Southern University?
Admission rate: 96.46%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1059 and midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Charleston Southern University?
Total enrollment: 2,893 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,556 students.
Graduate enrollment: 706 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Charleston Southern University?
150%-time completion rate: 47.24%.
First-year retention: 63.1%.
What do graduates of Charleston Southern University earn?
Median earnings: $40,606 six years after entry; $45,898 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $26,471.
34.49% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Charleston Southern University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (69 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (53 completions)
- Psychology, General (49 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (43 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (35 completions)
- Physician Associate/Assistant (33 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (32 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (24 completions)
- Social Sciences, General (22 completions)
- Project Management (21 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Charleston Southern University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 96.46%; completion rate 47.24%; median earnings $45,898 at 10 years; net price $21,666. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$32,520
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Charleston Southern University was $32,520.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,666
2024 Value
In 2024 Charleston Southern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,666.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$86,664 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,666 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$130,080 4-Year Tuition
$12,200 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$44,720 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$178,880 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Charleston Southern University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
34.49% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
48.46% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Charleston Southern University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Charleston Southern University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $22,090 | $22,090 | $17,197 |
| 2014 | $22,840 | $22,840 | $18,234 |
| 2015 | $23,440 | $23,440 | $17,241 |
| 2016 | $24,140 | $24,140 | $16,267 |
| 2017 | $24,840 | $24,840 | $17,297 |
| 2018 | $25,540 | $25,540 | $17,561 |
| 2019 | $26,000 | $26,000 | $17,804 |
| 2020 | $28,100 | $28,100 | $17,671 |
| 2021 | $28,930 | $28,930 | $17,368 |
| 2022 | $29,990 | $29,990 | $17,591 |
| 2023 | $31,030 | $31,030 | $21,955 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
96.46% Acceptance Rate
6,072 Total Applicants
4,620 Students Admitted
725 First-Time Students Enrolled
15.69% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1059
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Charleston Southern University reported total enrollment of about 2,893 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (60.0%), Black or African American (17.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.8%). About 34.49% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Charleston Southern University in 2024 is 2,893 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,556 students. Graduate enrollment is about 706 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
63.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 60.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
36.72% 100% Completion Time
47.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 36.72% of students graduating from Charleston Southern University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 12% male / 88% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 60% male / 40% female
- Psychology, General: 16% male / 84% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Charleston Southern University.
Return on Investment
$26,471 Median Student Debt
$45,898 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
57.67% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
429.61% Return on Investment
5.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Charleston Southern University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 67 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 69 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 53 completions
3. Psychology, General: 49 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 43 completions
5. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 35 completions
6. Physician Associate/Assistant: 33 completions
7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 32 completions
8. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 24 completions
9. Social Sciences, General: 22 completions
Most popular programs at Charleston Southern University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Charleston Southern University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Charleston Southern University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 58.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,523
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,047
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Charleston Southern University is a private non-profit institution located in Charleston, SC, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,893 students. Student body composition includes White (60.0%), Black or African American (17.9%), Hispanic or Latino (8.8%). The admission rate is 96.46%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1059. The 150%-time completion rate is 47.24%. Approximately 34.49% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Charleston, SC 29406-9121
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 67 distinct degree programs, Charleston Southern University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Charleston Southern University located?
Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC.
What is Charleston Southern University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Charleston Southern University is 96.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,072 applicants and 4,620 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Charleston Southern University cost?
Reported tuition is $32,520 and average net price is $21,666 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,200 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Charleston Southern University?
Charleston Southern University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,556 students, White (60.0%), Black or African American (17.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Charleston Southern University?
About 30.7% of students at Charleston Southern University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Charleston Southern University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Charleston Southern University reports midpoint SAT about 1059 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Charleston Southern University earn?
Median earnings are $40,606 six years after entry and $45,898 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Charleston Southern University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 47.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Charleston Southern University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $26,471.
Is Charleston Southern University public or private?
Charleston Southern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Charleston, SC.
Is Charleston Southern University an HBCU?
No. Charleston Southern University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Charleston Southern University a tribal college?
No. Charleston Southern University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Charleston, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.