Charleston Southern University vs South University-Columbia
What would these two cost your family?
Your family’s income
Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.
Charleston Southern University is a private university in Charleston, SC, and South University-Columbia is a private for-profit university in Columbia, SC. Charleston Southern University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 96% of applicants against 100% at South University-Columbia. Charleston Southern University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $21,666 a year against $27,693 at South University-Columbia. About 48% of students graduate at Charleston Southern University, compared with 13% at South University-Columbia. Ten years after enrolling, Charleston Southern University alumni earn a median of about $45,898, against $34,421 for South University-Columbia.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia harder to get into?
- Charleston Southern University is harder to get into. It admits about 96% of applicants, compared with 100% at South University-Columbia. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia?
- Charleston Southern University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,666 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $27,693 at South University-Columbia. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Charleston Southern University and South University-Columbia?
- Before aid, South University-Columbia costs about $35,322 a year and Charleston Southern University about $44,558. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia?
- Charleston Southern University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $20,145 there, against about $26,588 at South University-Columbia. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia?
- Charleston Southern University is the larger of the two, with about 2,893 undergraduates against 450 at South University-Columbia.
- Does Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia have a better graduation rate?
- Charleston Southern University has the higher graduation rate, at about 48% against 13% at South University-Columbia.
- Do graduates of Charleston Southern University or South University-Columbia earn more?
- Charleston Southern University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,898 ten years after enrolling, against about $34,421 for South University-Columbia. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Charleston Southern University and South University-Columbia require SAT or ACT scores?
- Charleston Southern University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. South University-Columbia is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.