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College of Charleston vs University of South Carolina-Upstate

College of Charleston is a public college in Charleston, SC. University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public university in Spartanburg, SC. College of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants and University of South Carolina-Upstate about 67%, making College of Charleston the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,557 a year at University of South Carolina-Upstate after aid, and about $18,960 at College of Charleston. About 65% of students graduate at College of Charleston, compared with 43% at University of South Carolina-Upstate. Ten years after enrolling, College of Charleston alumni earn a median of about $56,416, against $48,587 for University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public

University of South Carolina-Upstate

Spartanburg, SC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Charleston, SC
Spartanburg, SC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
10,558
4,038
Acceptance rate
60%
67%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.38–3.88
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1310
1005–1175
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
21–26
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,960
$13,557
Full cost / yr
$32,362
$25,124
In-state tuition
$12,978
$11,588
Out-of-state tuition
$38,296
$23,090
Application fee
$60
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,133
$11,618
$30k - $48k
$13,406
$11,537
$48k - $75k
$16,797
$13,394
$75k - $110k
$20,089
$17,356
Over $110k
$24,996
$19,325
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
43%
Freshman retention
82%
70%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,821
$43,339
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,416
$48,587
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
$22,310
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
46%
First-generation students
20%
35%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Not reported
Early action
Nov 2
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 15
Rolling

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.

Frequently asked questions
Is College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate harder to get into?
College of Charleston is harder to get into. It admits about 60% of applicants, compared with 67% at University of South Carolina-Upstate. 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-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,557 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,960 at College of Charleston. 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-Upstate?
Before aid, University of South Carolina-Upstate costs about $25,124 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-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,618 there, against about $12,133 at College of Charleston. 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-Upstate?
College of Charleston is the larger of the two, with about 10,558 undergraduates against 4,038 at University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Does College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate have a better graduation rate?
College of Charleston has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 43% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Do graduates of College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate earn more?
College of Charleston alumni earn more on average: a median of about $56,416 ten years after enrolling, against about $48,587 for University of South Carolina-Upstate. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do College of Charleston and University of South Carolina-Upstate 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-Upstate 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-Upstate look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1310 at College of Charleston and 1005–1175 at University of South Carolina-Upstate. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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