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CofC JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College PC Coastal Carolina VCU Marymount University GWU Longwood University Liberty University Clemson| Charleston Southern University | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CSU | SU | ||
| Location | Charleston, SC | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,418 | 4,260 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #918 | #537 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | csuniv.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CSU | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $29,490 | $33,790 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $29,490 | $33,790 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,250 | $11,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,536 | $26,143 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,417 | $23,467 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
CSU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,967 | 2,296 | ||
| Admitted | 4,309 | 1,845 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.8% | 80.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16.9% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.24 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/23 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1170 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2024 |
Academics |
CSU | SU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CSU | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $39,800 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 50% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $258 |
Diversity |
CSU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 61% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 26% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 13% |
Students |
CSU | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 76% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 23% | 48% | ||
Campus |
CSU | SU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Shenandoah University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 3,418 students)
CSU vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CSU or SU?
- Shenandoah University is 14.6% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $29,490.00)
- Out of state tuition is 14.6% higher at SU than Charleston Southern University ($33,790.00 vs. $29,490.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than SU ($17,536 vs. $26,143)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 0.2% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($11,230 vs. $11,250)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 12.6% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($26,417 vs. $23,467)
CSU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CSU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or CSU .
- The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 25 points higher than at SU (1005)
- Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at SU (22)
- Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at CSU (3.24)
- CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than SU (80.4%)
CSU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CSU or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and CSU.
- The graduation rate at SU is higher than Charleston Southern University (45% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Shenandoah University earn on average $8,500 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $39,800)
- Shenandoah University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- SU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
- More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/