What SAT score do I need for College of Charleston?

College of Charleston's middle 50% SAT range is 1140 to 1310. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.

What ACT score do I need for College of Charleston?

Middle 50% ACT range is 25 to 30. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.

What is the acceptance rate at College of Charleston?

College of Charleston admits roughly 60% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.

What does College of Charleston actually cost after financial aid?

Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $18,960 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

Is College of Charleston a reach, match, or safety for me?

Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat College of Charleston as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · South

Acceptance rate: 60.0%
SAT mid-50: 1140-1310
Cost after aid: $18,960
Graduation rate: 66%

What College of Charleston says matters

How College of Charleston rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

Acceptance rate: 60%; 19,016 of 31,680
Yield: 12%; 2,265 enrolled
SAT mid-50: 1150-1300
ACT mid-50: 25-30
CDS year: 2024-25

Acceptance rate by gender

Men: 54%4,779 of 8,897
Women: 62%14,237 of 22,783

Very important

Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA

Important

Class rank
Geographical residence
State residency

Considered

Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular activities
Talent or ability
Character or personal qualities
First generation
Alumni relation
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant's interest

Not considered

Interview
Religious affiliation or commitment

The full Common Data Set

Every figure College of Charleston published for 2024-25, section by section.

First-Time, First-Year Admission154

Entrance Exams

In addition, does your institution use applicants' test scores for academic advising?: Yes
AP: X
CLEP: X
Institutional Exam: X
Does your institution make use of SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?: No

Applications

Total first-time, first-year men who applied: 8,897
Total first-time, first-year women who applied: 22,783
Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied: 23,951
Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted: 4,779
Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted: 14,237
Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted: 13,354
Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 581
Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 1
Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 1,679
Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 4
Total first-time, first-year students who applied: 31,680
Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted: 19,016
Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled: 2,265
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 7,459
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 5,515
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 963
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 23,951
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 13,354
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 1,278
Total first-time, first-year who applied: 270
Total first-time, first-year who were admitted: 147
Total first-time, first-year who enrolled: 24

Wait List

Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list?: Yes
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:: 3,378
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:: 1,303
Number of wait-listed students admitted:: 491

Admissions Requirements

Total academic units: 20
English: 4
Mathematics: 4
Science: 3
Of these, units that must be lab: 3
Foreign language: 2
Social studies: 2
History: 1
Academic electives: 2
Visual/Performing Arts: 1
Total academic units: 23
English: 4
Mathematics: 4
Science: 3
Of these, units that must be lab: 3
Foreign language: 3
Social studies: 2
History: 2
Academic electives: 2
Computer Science: 1
Visual/Performing Arts: 1

Basis for Selection

Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rank: Important
Academic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scores: Considered
Application Essay: Considered
Recommendation(s): Considered
Interview: Not Considered
Extracurricular activities: Considered
Talent/ability: Considered
Character/personal qualities: Considered
First generation: Considered
Alumni/ae relation: Considered
Geographical residence: Important
State residency: Important
Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered
Volunteer work: Considered
Work experience: Considered
Level of applicant’s interest: Considered

First-time, first-year Profile

Submitting SAT Scores: 0.18
Submitting ACT Scores: 0.11
Submitting SAT Scores: 402
Submitting ACT Scores: 249
SAT Composite: 25th Percentile: 1,150
SAT Composite: 50th Percentile: 1,220
SAT Composite: 75th Percentile: 1,300
SAT Math: 25th Percentile: 550
SAT Math: 50th Percentile: 590
SAT Math: 75th Percentile: 640
ACT Composite: 25th Percentile: 25%
ACT Composite: 50th Percentile: 27%
ACT Composite: 75th Percentile: 30%
ACT Math: 25th Percentile: 21%
ACT Math: 50th Percentile: 25%
ACT Math: 75th Percentile: 27%
ACT English: 25th Percentile: 24%
ACT English: 50th Percentile: 27%
ACT English: 75th Percentile: 31%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700-800: 14.2
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600-699: 54
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 500-599: 30.3
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 400-499: 1.5
SAT Math: 700-800: 8.2
SAT Math: 600-699: 40.5
SAT Math: 500-599: 46.5
SAT Math: 400-499: 4.2
SAT Math: 300-399: 0.5
SAT Math: Total: 99.9
SAT Composite: 1400-1600: 8
SAT Composite: 1200-1399: 53
SAT Composite: 1000-1199: 35
SAT Composite: 800-999: 3
ACT Composite: 30-36: 28.1
ACT Composite: 24-29: 55.4
ACT Composite: 18-23: 16.5
ACT Composite: Total: 100
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class: 18%
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class: 44%
Percent in top half of high school graduating class: 80%
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class: 20%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class: 3.0%
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank:: 54%
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 64%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 18%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 9.6%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 5.0%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 1.6%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 1.6%
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49: 20%
Total: 100.01
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 42%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 20%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 19%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 11%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 5.9%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 3.3%
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49: 10%
Total: 100
Percent who had GPA of 4.0: 48%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99: 19%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74: 16%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49: 9.0%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24: 4.6%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99: 2.8%
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49: 10%
Total: 99.9
Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA:: 4
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school GPA:: 100%

Admission Policies

Does your institution have an application fee?: Yes
Amount of application fee:: 60
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?: Yes
Same fee: X
Application closing date (fall): 1
Priority Date: 15
Yes, in part: 5
No: 1
Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission?: Yes
If yes, maximum period of postponement:: 1 or 2 semesters
Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year students one year or more before high school graduation?: No
Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year applicants for fall enrollment?: Yes
Number of early decision applications received by your institution: 752
Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan: 402
Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college?: Yes

Transfer Admission37

Fall Applicants

Does your institution enroll transfer students? (If no, please skip to Section E): Yes
Men: 677
Women: 1,030
Unknown: 1,707
Total: 623
Men: 965
Another Gender: 1,588
Unknown: 279
Total: 355
Women: 634

Application for Admission

Fall: X
Spring: X
Summer: X
Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering first-year student?: No
High school transcript: Required of Some
College transcript(s): Required of All
Essay or personal statement: Not Required
Interview: Not Required
Standardized test scores: Not Required
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s): Not Required
If a minimum college grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify (on a 4.0 scale):: 2.4
List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:: GPA must be calculated from all colleges attended
Fall: 7
Winter: 1
Fall: 11
Winter: 15
Fall: 7
Winter: 15
Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students?: No
Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:: - D12 Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit: "C" or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale Number Unit Type - D13 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution: 66 Credit(s) Number Unit Type - D14 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution: 90 Credit(s) - D15 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree: N/A - D16 Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor's degree: 32.00 - D17 Describe other transfer credit policies: ## D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies - D18 Does your institution accept the following military/veteran transfer credits: Yes No Number Unit Type - D19 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE): Number Unit Type - D20 Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)): Yes No - D21 Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website? - D22 Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution: Students who have completed 1 year of military service in the United States military will be awarded 4 credit hours of elective transfer credit for the physical education activity course. ##

Transfer Credit Policies

Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:: 4.0
Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:: 32
American Council on Education (ACE): Yes
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Yes
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST): Yes
Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?: Yes
If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located:: https://charleston.edu/registrar/transfer-student-resources/index.php

Academic Offerings and Policies22

Special Study Options

Accelerated program: X
Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities: X
Cross-registration: X
Distance learning: X
Double major: X
Dual enrollment: X
English as a Second Language (ESL): X
Exchange student program (domestic): X
Honors Program: X
Independent study: X
Internships: X
Liberal arts/career combination: X
Study abroad: X
Teacher certification program: X
Undergraduate Research: X

Required Course Work

English (including composition): X
Foreign languages: X
History: X
Humanities: X
Mathematics: X
Sciences (biological or physical): X
Social science: X

Student Life41

Percent Participating

Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 55%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 22%
Percent of women who join sororities: 30%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 92%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 7.9%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 0
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 49%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 21%
Percent of women who join sororities: 24%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 32%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 68%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 4.7%

Average Age

Average age of full-time students: 18
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 18
Average age of full-time students: 20
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 21

Activities Offered

Campus Ministries: X
Choral groups: X
Dance: X
Drama/theater: X
International Student Organization: X
Jazz band: X
Literary magazine: X
Model UN: X
Music ensembles: X
Musical theater: X
Opera: X
Pep band: X
Radio station: X
Student government: X
Student newspaper: X
Student-run film society: X
Symphony orchestra: X
Television station: X

Housing

Coed dorms: X
Men's dorms: X
Women's dorms: X
Apartments for single students: X
Special housing for disabled students: X
Fraternity/sorority housing: X
Theme housing: X

Annual Expenses2

Information

Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:: https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/tuition-fees/net-price-calculator.php
If your institution's 2025-2026 academic year costs of attendance are not available at this time please respond.: X

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred28

Diploma/Certificates

Interdisciplinary studies: 18.75
Social sciences: 31.25
Business/marketing: 50
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Associate

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Bachelors

Natural resources and conservation: 0.18
Area, ethnic, and gender studies: 0.78
Communication/journalism: 8.79
Computer and information sciences: 3.64
Education: 4.88
Engineering: 0.23
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics: 1.93
English: 2.35
Liberal arts/general studies: 0.74
Biological/life sciences: 12.98
Mathematics and statistics: 0.46
Military science and military technologies: 28
Interdisciplinary studies: 4.24
Philosophy and religious studies: 0.55
Physical sciences: 3.18
Psychology: 8.7
Homeland Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services: 8.7
Social sciences: 8.66
Visual and performing arts: 6.72
Health professions and related programs: 4.74
Business/marketing: 23.53
History: 2.72
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Enrollment And Persistence112

Institutional Enrollment

Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men: 581
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 253
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 2,362
Other first-year, degree-seeking: women: 3,216
Total degree-seeking: unknown: 0
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women: 1,679
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender: 358
Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown: 4,860
Other first-year, degree-seeking: another gender: 6,921
Total degree-seeking: unknown: 0
All other degree-seeking: unknown: 10,880
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: men: 1,046
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: women: 11,926
Total All Students: unknown: 0

Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Nonresidents: 24
Hispanic/Latino: 174
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 107
White, non-Hispanic: 1,820
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0
Asian, non-Hispanic: 41
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 85
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 14
TOTAL: 1,707
Nonresidents: 103
Hispanic/Latino: 814
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 563
White, non-Hispanic: 8,335
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 5
Asian, non-Hispanic: 202
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 2
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 415
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 119
TOTAL: 1,588
Nonresidents: 125
Hispanic/Latino: 834
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 597
White, non-Hispanic: 8,556
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 6
Asian, non-Hispanic: 210
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 2
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 423
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 127
TOTAL: 634

Graduation Rates

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 515
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 365
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,317
Total: 2,197
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2
Total: 2
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 515
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 365
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,315
Total: 2,195
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 263
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 193
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 787
Total: 1,243
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 39
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 25
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 105
Total: 169
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 9
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 1
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 23
Total: 33
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 311
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 219
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 915
Total: 1,445
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 60.4
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 60
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 69.6
Total: 65.8
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 485
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 249
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,104
Total: 1,838
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2
Total: 2
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 485
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 249
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,102
Total: 1,836
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 234
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 140
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 655
Total: 1,029
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 39
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 13
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 89
Total: 141
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 3
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 5
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 15
Total: 23
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 276
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 158
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 759
Total: 1,193
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 56.9
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 63.5
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 68.9
Total: 65
2021 Cohort: 0
2021 Cohort: 150
2020 Cohort: 18
2021 Cohort: 19

Instructional Faculty And Class Size38

Instructional Faculty

A. Total number of instructional faculty: 524
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 87
C. Total number who are women: 257
D. Total number who are men: 267
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 22
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 473
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 49
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 2
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 0
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 0
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 402
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 56
C. Total number who are women: 225
D. Total number who are men: 177
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 3
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 158
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 209
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 15
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 20
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 23
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 926
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 143
C. Total number who are women: 482
D. Total number who are men: 444
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 25
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 631
G. Total number whose highest degree is a master’s but not a terminal master’s: 258
H. Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor’s: 17
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 20
J. Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students: 23

Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio: 17
based on ____ students: 67

Undergraduate Class Size

2-9: 46
10-19: 46
20-29: 97
30-39: 167
40-49: 1
50-99: 1

Source: College of Charleston's Common Data Set 2024-25

About College of Charleston

College of Charleston is a mid-sized public university in Charleston, SC, in a city setting.

What College of Charleston looks for

College of Charleston admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.

Frequently asked

What SAT score do I need for College of Charleston?
College of Charleston's middle 50% SAT range is 1140 to 1310. A score in or above that band keeps you in the conversation; below it, the rest of your application has to do more work.
What ACT score do I need for College of Charleston?
Middle 50% ACT range is 25 to 30. The top of that range or above is what most admitted students submit when they choose to send a score.
What is the acceptance rate at College of Charleston?
College of Charleston admits roughly 60% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.
What does College of Charleston actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $18,960 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is College of Charleston a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat College of Charleston as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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