UnisHub University Compass

Charleston Southern University (CSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Charleston Southern University

Minutes from tidal creeks and historic cobblestone streets, Charleston Southern University blends a close-knit campus with the energy of greater Charleston. Academically it's known for practical, ethics-minded study across business, health sciences, teacher preparation, the arts, and STEM. Hands-on labs and a strong library support learning, while advising, tutoring, counseling, and a career center guide students.

Student life leans active and friendly. You'll find faith-informed gatherings, service projects, music, theater, intramurals, and plenty of Buccaneer spirit. And outdoor time comes easy with nearby beaches and waterways. The university has a reputation for internship connections in hospitals, port logistics, tourism, and a growing tech scene, plus mentoring from alumni. Traditions emphasize service and community. Notable alumni include U.S. Senator Tim Scott.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
9200 University Blvd, Charleston, South Carolina, 29406, USA
Unit ID
217688

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
SACSCOC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Campus Setting
Located in a midsize city (population between 100,000 and 249,999)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Medium programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$31,030
Tuition $30,380 + Fee $650
Out-of-State
$31,030
Tuition $30,380 + Fee $650
Student Profile
Total Students 3,545
Undergraduate 2,716
Graduate/Other 829
Male: 1,317 Female: 2,228
Applications
Total Applicants 6,072
Admitted 4,620
Enrolled 725
Acceptance: 76.1% Yield: 15.7%
Staff
Total Staff 585
Full-time 362
Part-time 223
Full-time: 61.9% Part-time: 38.1%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Charleston Southern University (CSU) offers 66 degree programs across 22 major academic fields, graduating approximately 728 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (11 programs, 180 graduates), Health (8 programs, 145 graduates), Education (10 programs, 93 graduates), Psychology (2 programs, 60 graduates) and Biological Sciences (3 programs, 53 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (11 programs, 180 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 53
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0201
Project Management 21
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0211
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 16
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0203
Nonprofit and Organizational Management 15
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0206
Organizational Leadership 15
Master's
52.0213
Human Resources Management 14
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1001
Marketing Management 14
Bachelor's
52.1401
Accounting 12
Bachelor's
52.0301
Entrepreneurship Studies 9
Bachelor's
52.0701
Finance, General 8
Bachelor's
52.0801
Financial Planning and Services 3
Bachelor's
52.0804
Health (8 programs, 145 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 69
Bachelor's
51.3801
Physician Assistant 33
Master's
51.0912
Health Administration and Management 14
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0701
Public Health 13
Bachelor's
51.2201
Athletic Training 8
Master's
51.0913
Music Therapy 5
Bachelor's
51.2305
Nursing Education 2
Master's
51.3203
Clinical Laboratory Technician 1
Bachelor's
51.1004
Education (10 programs, 93 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Educational Leadership and Administration 24
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Elementary Education 14
Bachelor's
13.1202
Early Childhood Education 12
Bachelor's
13.1210
Music Teacher Education 11
Bachelor's
13.1312
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 11
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1314
Secondary School Administration 6
Master's
13.0409
Elementary and Middle School Administration 5
Master's
13.0408
Social Studies Teacher Education 5
Bachelor's
13.1318
English Language Arts Teacher Education 3
Bachelor's
13.1305
Middle School Education and Teaching 2
Bachelor's
13.1203
Psychology (2 programs, 60 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 49
Bachelor's
42.0101
Counseling Psychology 11
Master's
42.2803
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 53 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 43
Bachelor's
Master's
26.0101
Wildlife Biology 6
Bachelor's
26.0709
Biochemistry 4
Bachelor's
26.0202
Security & Safety (1 programs, 35 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies 35
Bachelor's
Master's
43.0104
Kinesiology (1 programs, 32 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 32
Bachelor's
31.0505
Social Sciences (3 programs, 28 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Sciences 22
Bachelor's
45.0101
Political Science and Government 4
Bachelor's
45.1001
Sociology 2
Bachelor's
45.1101
Computer & IT (4 programs, 23 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer Science 10
Bachelor's
11.0701
Computer and Information Sciences 6
Bachelor's
Master's
11.0101
Information Systems Security and Auditing 6
Bachelor's
11.1003
Information Science 1
Bachelor's
11.0401
Arts (4 programs, 19 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Graphic Design 15
Bachelor's
50.0409
Music 2
Bachelor's
50.0901
Music Performance 1
Bachelor's
50.0903
Voice and Opera Performance 1
Bachelor's
50.0908

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Charleston Southern University (CSU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
950 - 1160
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 480 - 600
Median: 540
Math 470 - 560
Median: 520
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
17 - 24
25th-75th percentile
English 15 - 24
Median: 20
Math 16 - 23
Median: 18

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$47,220
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$47,220
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$31,030
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$31,030
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$11,590 (on) / $8,930 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
N/A
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$4,600 (on) / $5,060 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$5,060
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$19,244
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$19,244
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

25%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$22,411
Avg. Loan
$7,283
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,165
Additional
Students with Any Grant
709
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
433
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
261
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$15,772
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

49%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
62%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$29,949 – $65,834
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$29,949 (25th %) $65,834 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $45,898
Median Salary After 6 Years
$40,606
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$45,898
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
48.9%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
67.3%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$26,471
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 36.3%
Middle 53.9%
High 63.7%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 51.6%
Independent 41.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Charleston Southern University (CSU)

How much does it cost to attend Charleston Southern University (CSU)?

The annual tuition at Charleston Southern University (CSU) is $31,030 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $47,220 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,590 (on) / $8,930 (off) .

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Charleston Southern University offer?

Charleston Southern University (CSU) offers 66 academic programs across 22 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (8 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (10 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (3 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Charleston Southern University?

Charleston Southern University (CSU) has an 76.1% acceptance rate and a 15.7% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 6,072
  • Students admitted: 4,620
  • Students enrolled: 725

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Charleston Southern University?

Charleston Southern University (CSU) provides financial aid to 25% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $22,411 and average loans of $7,283.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,036
  • State/Local grants: $7,237
  • Institutional grants: $15,772
  • Federal loans: $5,165

The university supports 709 students with grants and 433 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Charleston Southern University graduates?

Charleston Southern University (CSU) graduates earn a median salary of $40,606 after 6 years and $45,898 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $29,949 (25th percentile) to $65,834 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $71,200 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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