College of Charleston vs University of South Carolina-Columbia
College of Charleston is a public college in Charleston, SC, and University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public university in Columbia, SC. Both admit about 60% of applicants. College of Charleston is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,960 a year against $22,811 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. About 78% of students graduate at University of South Carolina-Columbia, compared with 65% at College of Charleston. Ten years after enrolling, University of South Carolina-Columbia alumni earn a median of about $62,177, against $56,416 for College of Charleston.
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- Is College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 60% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia?
- College of Charleston is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,960 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,811 at University of South Carolina-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 College of Charleston and University of South Carolina-Columbia?
- Before aid, University of South Carolina-Columbia costs about $31,638 a year and College of Charleston about $32,362. 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, College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia?
- College of Charleston. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,133 there, against about $12,634 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia?
- University of South Carolina-Columbia is the larger of the two, with about 29,820 undergraduates against 10,558 at College of Charleston.
- Does College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia have a better graduation rate?
- University of South Carolina-Columbia has the higher graduation rate, at about 78% against 65% at College of Charleston.
- Do graduates of College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Columbia earn more?
- University of South Carolina-Columbia alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,177 ten years after enrolling, against about $56,416 for College of Charleston. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do College of Charleston and University of South Carolina-Columbia require SAT or ACT scores?
- College of Charleston is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of South Carolina-Columbia is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do College of Charleston and University of South Carolina-Columbia look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1310 at College of Charleston and 1180–1360 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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