St. Kate's vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than St. Kate's based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 3,651 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Catherine University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Catherine University 9:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

St. Kate's vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Kate's or CSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St Catherine University than CSU ($20,918 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Catherine University are 0.1% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($12,188 vs. $12,200).
• St Catherine University is 58.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $18,934 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.2% higher at St. Kate's than at Charleston Southern University (about $18,934 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 72.5% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($40,092 vs. $23,240).

St. Kate's vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Kate's or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and St. Kate's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 50 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 850/1140; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Catherine University 20/26; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Kate's - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than St. Kate's (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at St. Kate's vs. 17.7% at CSU.

St. Kate's vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Kate's and CSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More St. Kate's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.