A superior public university with personality to spare.
Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation's top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.
Nearly 10,000 undergraduates and approximately 1,000 graduate students at the College enjoy a small-college feel blended with the advantages and diversity of a mid-sized, urban university. Students work with exceptional professors who love to teach, who are focused on student growth and who help them succeed. And the city of Charleston – world-renowned for its history, architecture, culture and coastal environment – serves as a living and learning laboratory for experiences in business, science, technology, teaching, the humanities, languages and the arts.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Director of the Visitor Experience
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
Experience College Life
Avery Research Center
Mace Brown Museum
Addlestone Library / Starbucks / Rivers Green
Glebe Street Houses
Walking tour brochures available in Office of Admissions.
Sullivans Island
Old City Market
International African American Museum
Folly Beach
Campus Tours
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
843-953-5670
Dates: Year-round
Times: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM on most weekdays
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Apply with the Common App or the College of Charleston application. We are test score optional.
Application deadlines for first-year fall admission are November 1 for Early Decision and Early Action and January 15 for Regular Decision and Early Decision 2.
Our holistic review of your application includes:
- GPA (weighted or unweighted).
- class rank.
- test scores (If you choose to submit them).
- up to two letters of recommendation (optional).
- high school coursework.
Overview
GPA Breakdown
Need to boost your grades? We can help.
Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — October 15
Early Action — November 1
Regular — January 15
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
Choose from eight undergraduate schools, an honors college and a graduate school at the College of Charleston. No matter which school you choose, you'll have opportunities for hands-on research, and you'll enjoy an experience-driven learning environment.
- School of the Arts
- School of Business
- School of Education
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Languages, Culture and World Affairs
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Majors and Degrees Offered
We offer more than 150 majors and minors, and we are ready to work with you to create a personalized course of study. Whether you are interested in the environment, the arts or data science you'll have the freedom to mix and match your interests to create your very own academic adventure. We've given you a head start with 25+ interdisciplinary minors that draw resources from across academic disciplines. Check out the interactive program finder on our website to explore the possibilities!
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
German Studies.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
Women's Studies.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Exercise Physiology.
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Finance, General.
Hospitality Administration/Management, General.
International Business/Trade/Commerce.
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
Project Management.
Real Estate.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other.
Information Science/Studies.
-
EDUCATION.
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
Special Education and Teaching, General.
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels.
-
ENGINEERING.
Computer Software Engineering.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Systems Engineering.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
French Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Public Health Education and Promotion.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
Statistics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Historic Preservation and Conservation.
International/Global Studies.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Sustainability Studies.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Jewish/Judaic Studies.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other.
Chemistry, General.
Chemistry, Other.
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Meteorology.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology, Other.
Anthropology.
Archeology.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
Urban Studies/Affairs.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Fine and Studio Arts Management.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Music, General.
Musical Theatre.
Students Say
Professors "care how well their students perform and help them find opportunities through networking and general encouragement." The ideal size of the school creates "a great student to professor ratio." Faculty are "engaged, knowledgeable, and passionate about the subject matter they teach," and they are "eager to engage with students that are excited to study and learn." The location and the school's reputation make for tons of internship and professional opportunities, and everything the school has to offer is available to all. If you need anything from academic advising to counseling or career planning, there are people here "with the passion and resources to help."
Degrees
Certificate
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
College of Charleston education is well within reach. We know that paying for college is a major expense in most family budgets. That's why we're here to help you understand the costs and show you how financial aid and scholarships can make it affordable. Let's break it down, together. Your actual cost of attendance will be unique to you. However, you can refer to our website for the latest information on estimated average costs for in state and out-of-state students.
Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official application for federal financial aid and your first step in the financial aid process.
We also offer a range of state scholarships, institutional scholarships, and departmental scholarships.
Dates
Required Forms
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
College can be exactly what you imagined. A world-class liberal arts education informed by the future of work. A culture that celebrates the power of diverse thought. A thriving arts destination and beacon of historic preservation. It's why Charleston is the best small city in America. And why the College boasts more than 240 student clubs and organizations. It's why we've dedicated more than 250 years to educating, elevating and inspiring generations of brilliant, curious minds.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Experience a vibrant and diverse cultural life in a place small enough for anyone to feel right at home. Here, the lines between campus and the city blur — so you can learn something new every time you walk down the street. And then there's what makes Charleston iconic. The College of Charleston is in the middle of one of the most lovingly preserved historic districts in America — yet home to cutting edge companies like Google, Boeing and Blackbaud.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
From newly refurbished residence halls and dining areas to renovated classrooms, newly built educational centers and an impressive, 15,000-square-foot fitness facility, the College has invested millions of dollars to provide students with the best and most effective learning and recreational opportunities.
The fully renovated Albert Simons Center for the Arts opened in 2024 and boasts state-of-the-art classrooms, studios, galleries and performance spaces.
Stono Preserve is a 981-acre property along the Stono River and the Intercoastal Waterway. It includes myriad ecosystems and provides unmatched research and educational opportunities for students and faculty at the College of Charleston.
The Grice Marine Lab provides marine biology students with a waterfront learning and research center. The lab supports teaching and research in evolutionary biology, marine biogeography, cellular and molecular biology, benthic ecology, immunology, microbial ecology, phytoplankton ecology, environmental physiology, fish systematics, and invertebrate zoology and other marine sciences.
Rita Hollings Science Center is the academic home to students studying biology, physics, astronomy and psychology, this newly renovated building includes 8 classrooms, 51 research labs and 27 teaching labs. The fourth-floor roof houses the astronomy lab, control room, telescope dome, astronomy deck and vivarium.
Off-Campus Opportunities
The city of Charleston presents endless opportunities for research, internships and service learning. 70% of students participate in internships and 90% of students have at least one experiential learning opportunity.
Charleston is America's original artists' colony. Throughout its 300-plus-year history, our city has been a playground for painters, jazz musicians, playwrights and more. This is where the New World's first public theater was established, as well as the country's first resident ballet company and its first museum.
An art, outdoor and culinary destination, Charleston hosts several events throughout the year that you might expect at a city twice its size. Whatever your niche, Charleston has the renowned festival or event to help bring it to life.
The outdoors is always calling at the College of Charleston. Year-round sunshine, beaches in our backyard, a 10-acre city park right next door and free access to campus athletic facilities make staying active easy.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Students Say
Whether it means having the chance to work near campus or being close enough to walk to class every day, "the location is a perfect fit" for just about every student (particularly the many who love the outdoors). "Just going on a walk around town and seeing all of the beautiful houses and their history is extremely entertaining." The college "really does have a beautiful campus and we take pride in keeping it up," and students can just as easily live on-campus as rent nearby.
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
For LD, it is typically a recent (3-5 years) psychoeducational evaluation.Documentation Required for ADHD
For AD/HD, it might be a recent (3-5 years) psychoeducational evaluation. In lieu of an evaluation, if a student is working with a treatment provider, we have a disability verification form that student can have provider complete.Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Sailing
Soccer
Tennis
Cross Country
Equestrian Sports
Golf
Sailing
Sand Volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: The Citadel
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Charleston Southern University
Sustainability
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/