College of Charleston

Overview

Established in 1770 and chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. The campus is noted for its beautifully preserved architecture reflecting antebellum and Greek revival styles, contributing to the city's famous aesthetic. This mid-sized institution offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in biology, business, communications, education, and the arts. The college operates on a semester-based academic calendar and exhibits a moderately selective admissions process. Campus life features a blend of residential housing and academic buildings in an urban setting, providing students with the opportunity to live and study within walking distance of the downtown area. While the College of Charleston competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Cougars, it is particularly well-known for its men's basketball and sailing teams.

In the most recent statistical year 22,020 prospective students applied, and 16,666 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 2,210 enrolled in the school.  9,464 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,421 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $12,518 plus fees of $460. CofC is ranked 428 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.