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Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC · City · 2,893 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$21,666
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
48%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
52% typical
$45,898
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$51,562 typical
96%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Charleston Southern University is a private, faith-integrated liberal arts institution best known for combining career-focused academics with a foundational Christian worldview. The university’s strongest offerings are anchored by its renowned Nielsen College of Nursing, alongside standout programs in business, criminal justice, and education. Campus life is close-knit and faith-centered, featuring active student ministry, weekly chapel services, and a spirited NCAA Division I athletics program. Located just minutes from historic downtown Charleston, CSU uniquely offers a coastal lowcountry setting alongside distinctive academics, including one of the region's few collegiate aeronautics and flight-training programs.

Wikipedia:Charleston Southern University (CSU) is a private university in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Location
Charleston, SC, 29406-9121 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
JAX · Jacksonville
196 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$32,520
Housing & food (on campus)$12,200
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$52,254
Average net price$21,666
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$32,520
Housing & food (on campus)$12,200
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$52,254
Average net price$21,666
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Charleston Southern University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$34,270
Fees$800
Housing$10,426
Food$3,548
Personal expenses$2,020
Transportation$1,190
Total published by the school$52,254
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$20,145
$30–48k
$23,024
$48–75k
$20,697
$75–110k
$21,648
$110k+
$23,226
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
48%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
37%
Back for yr 2
63%
Transferred
21%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
47% graduated · 39% transferred · 13% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$40,606
10 yrs after entry$45,898
Debt
Median at graduation$26,471
Monthly payment$281
Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$28.8k
90th percentile$39,625
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
96%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1059
R 480–600 · M 450–560
ACT midpoint
21
Comp 18–24 · E 16–24 · M 17–24
SAT middle 50%: 930–1160
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Charleston Southern University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 37%Women 63%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
34%
First-gen
31%
Family income
$40,996
Independent
22%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
6%
Race & ethnicity
White
60%
Hispanic
9%
Black
18%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$40,606
After 10 yrs
$45,898
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing80
Business Administration, Management and Operations45
Biology, General32
Psychology, General29
Public Health27
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25
Criminal Justice and Corrections23
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods22
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas20
Design and Applied Arts19
Communication and Media Studies16
Social Sciences, General16
Marketing14
Health and Medical Administrative Services11
Human Resources Management and Services9
Computer Science8
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$30M
Full-time faculty
58%
Faculty salary
$6,523/mo
Teaching spend
$9,047
per student
Federal loans
48%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (medium programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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