Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Online | csuniv.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Charleston Southern University, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, sits on a 300-acre campus approximately 16 miles from downtown Charleston's historic district. Founded in 1964 as Baptist College, this private Christian institution serves as the largest independent university in South Carolina. The campus features modern academic buildings and residential facilities surrounded by pine trees and lakes, with all first-year students required to live in on-campus housing. CSU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in nursing, business, education, and Christian studies, while maintaining a faith-based educational approach integrated throughout its curriculum. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big South Conference, with its Buccaneers teams participating in 16 varsity sports.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CSU is rated within the lower 32% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Charleston Southern University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#915 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#549 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#19 in Best Colleges in South Carolina
#10 in Best Private Colleges in South Carolina
#54 in Best Value Colleges in South Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 950/1160 |
| ACT | 17/24 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.24 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $25 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $0 |
| Other Fees | $650 |
| Room and Board | $11,590 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,600 |
| Total One Year Cost | $47,220 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 24% |
| Education | 11% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Health Professions | 8% |
| Biology | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217688 IPEDS survey data for Charleston Southern University.
Current students may use the Charleston Southern University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025