College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina · Public
College of Charleston admitted 73% of 32,326 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1160–1300 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 65% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at College of Charleston
Enter a score to see whether College of Charleston is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (73%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
College of Charleston’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 2, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 15, 2027
- Early action
- November 2, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application fee is $60, and College of Charleston accepts the Common App fee waiver. College of Charleston asks for a midyear report from your school.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check College of Charleston’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 72% (308 of 428), compared with 73% for all applicants.
College of Charleston offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
2,819 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 972 took it, and 521 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How College of Charleston rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
Important
- Class rank
- Where you live
- State residency
Considered
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
- First generation
- Legacy
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Interview
- Religion
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.96 GPA. 15% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $33,096 in-state and $56,976 out-of-state a year. After grants, students paid $20,806 on average (in-state).
Average price after grants, by family income, for in-state students:
Quick answers
What is College of Charleston’s acceptance rate?
College of Charleston admitted 73% of applicants: 23,597 of 32,326 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is College of Charleston’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 2, 2026, early decision II is due January 15, 2027, early action is due November 2, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for College of Charleston?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1160 to 1300, with a median around 1220. A score at or above 1220 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is College of Charleston’s application fee?
The application fee is $60 for 2026–27, and College of Charleston accepts the Common App fee waiver.
What does College of Charleston require?
Besides the application and transcript, College of Charleston asks for a midyear report from your school.
Does College of Charleston have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, College of Charleston asks 1 question of its own on top of the main essay (optional. one essay, up to 350 words). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
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