Charleston Southern University
Charleston, South Carolina · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$21,666
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
47.2%
Admission rate
96%
Undergrad size
2,893
In-state tuition
$32,520
Out-of-state tuition
$32,520
Cost of attendance
$44,558
Median earnings (10y)
$45,898
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,059
- ACT midpoint
- 21
- Retention
- 63.1%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (26%), health (20%), business (18%).
- STEM13%
- Health20%
- Business18%
- Humanities & arts11%
- Social sciences26%
- Trades & services13%
- Health professions19.6%~568 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business17.8%~516 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Education9.8%~284 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~261 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Psychology8.8%~255 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~185 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Social sciences5.6%~162 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~116 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~110 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science3.2%~93 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Transportation2.4%~69 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication2.0%~58 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~46 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English1.6%~46 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts1.2%~35 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Theology0.8%~23 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Legal0.6%~17 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- History0.6%~17 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~12 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering0.2%~6 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~6 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.2%~6 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 177 | $61,709 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 170 | $56,982 | $31,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master's | 85 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 80 | $40,309 | $27,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | 73 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 69 | $23,092 | $28,979 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 62 | $25,028 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 59 | $26,162 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 55 | $34,345 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 48 | $35,190 | $27,000 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 45 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 35 | $35,270 | $27,323 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 34 | $23,505 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 33 | $26,057 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 31 | $24,781 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 30 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master's | 28 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 24 | $44,112 | — |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | $26,955 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 23 | $38,775 | — |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 22 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master's | 21 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 20 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master's | 18 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 17 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 17 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 17 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Bachelor's | 16 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 14 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Master's | 14 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology. | Bachelor's | 12 | — | — |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | Bachelor's | 10 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 9 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 8 | — | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 8 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 7 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master's | 7 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized institution located in Charleston, South Carolina, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 2,893 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Education.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Charleston Southern University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $21,666 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $32,520 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $44,558 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 47.2%, a average completion outcome. 63.1% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $45,898 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Charleston Southern University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Education. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (26% of credentials), health (20% of credentials), business (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Charleston Southern University accepts 96% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,059. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 21.
Location & campus
Set in Charleston, South Carolina (city), Charleston Southern University draws students from across South Carolina and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Charleston Southern University
Q.How much does Charleston Southern University cost?
The average net price at Charleston Southern University is $21,666 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $44,558.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Charleston Southern University?
Charleston Southern University has a 6-year graduation rate of 47.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Charleston Southern University?
Charleston Southern University admits 96% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Charleston Southern University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Charleston Southern University graduate earns $45,898 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Charleston Southern University?
Published tuition is $32,520 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Charleston Southern University located?
Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, South Carolina (ZIP 29406).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Charleston Southern University at their official website.