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Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC·Private·https://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Charleston Southern University is a small private nonprofit university in Charleston, SC. Approximately 2,893 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Lake Moultrie is about 16 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 58/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Charleston Southern University is a small private nonprofit university in Charleston, SC. Approximately 2,893 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Lake Moultrie is about 16 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 58/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

96%
Acceptance Rate
4,660 applications
21
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 18–24
$32,520
2024-25 Tuition
$21,666
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$12,200
Room & Board
2,893
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
47%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity96% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

480530600

SAT Math

450510560

Campus Lifestyle

Charleston Southern University is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 226 miles from Sapphire Valley Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Big South

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

226 miles

Sapphire Valley Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

62°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Charleston Southern University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 226 miles away with 3 lifts and 8 skiable acres. All are within 240 miles of campus.

226 mi away
8 skiable acres3 lifts
Appalachian Ski Mtn.

North Carolina

238 mi away
27 skiable acres6 lifts
Sugar Mountain Resort

North Carolina

240 mi away
125 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake Moultrie is 16 miles from campus, giving Charleston Southern University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Moultrie

Lake access within 15.9 miles

16 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Charleston, SC

Charleston has a warm climate, with winters averaging 50°F in Jan and summers peaking around 83°F in Jul.

50°Jan53°Feb59°Mar66°Apr73°May79°Jun83°Jul81°Aug77°Sep68°Oct58°Nov52°Dec

Station: CHARLESTON INTL. Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Charleston Southern University in SC earns a composite safety score of 58/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

58/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety624373
62/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
43/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
73/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$32,520
Fees
$300
Room & Board
$12,200
Total
$45,020
App Fee: $25
$21,666avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

82 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
80 grads/yr$75,175
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
74 grads/yr$81,984
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
45 grads/yr$69,117
Educational Administration and SupervisionDoctoral
41 grads/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsMaster's
41 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's8 grads$97,290
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's74 grads$81,984
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's80 grads$75,175
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's45 grads$69,117
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's12 grads$66,271
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Master's10 grads$61,377
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's6 grads$58,600
Human Resources Management and Services
Bachelor's9 grads$57,482
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Bachelor's11 grads$57,253
Marketing
Bachelor's14 grads$57,179

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Charleston Southern University located?

Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC. The main campus address is 9200 University Blvd, Charleston, SC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Charleston Southern University?

Charleston Southern University has an acceptance rate of 96%, making it accessible. Out of 4,660 applicants, 4,495 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,893 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Charleston Southern University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Charleston Southern University scored between 18 and 24 on the ACT, with a median of 21. About 31% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Charleston Southern University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Charleston Southern University charges $32,520/year in tuition. Including room and board ($12,200/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $28,930/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,666/year — what students actually pay. Use Charleston Southern University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Charleston Southern University?

The undergraduate application fee at Charleston Southern University is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Charleston Southern University have college sports?

Yes — Charleston Southern University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Big South. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Charleston Southern University the right fit for me?

Whether Charleston Southern University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (96% admit rate), avg net price ($21,666/year after aid), campus culture in Charleston, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Charleston Southern University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Charleston Southern University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Charleston, SC
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Big South
School Year Weather
Warm · 62°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
58/100
Nearest Airport
Charleston, SC (CHS) · 6 mialso OGB (56 mi), HHH (64 mi)

Location

Charleston, SC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.