College Compass Start free →

Head to head · South Carolina

College of Charleston vs University of South Carolina-Columbia

College of Charleston costs less than University of South Carolina-Columbia at every income band federal data covers — between $501 and $4,389 less per year, depending on what you earn.

What each actually costs, by household income

Household incomeCollege of CharlestonUniversity of South CarolinaDifference
Under $30k$12,133$12,634$501 · College of Charleston
$30–48k$13,406$14,953$1,547 · College of Charleston
$48–75k$16,797$19,859$3,062 · College of Charleston
$75–110k$20,089$24,478$4,389 · College of Charleston
Over $110k$24,996$28,125$3,129 · College of Charleston

Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.

Four years, at $75–110k

College of Charleston$84,675
University of South Carolina-Columbia$103,175
Difference over four years$18,500

Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.

Getting in

Published acceptance rate60% · 60%
Average SAT1247 · 1297

Listed College of Charleston first, then University of South Carolina. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.

After graduation — federal data

Median earnings, 10 yrs out$56,416 · $62,177
Graduate in four years57% · 70%
Typical graduate's own federal debt$23,250 · $21,500

Again College of Charleston first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.

These are averages. Your family isn't average.
College Compass runs both schools against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — admit odds with the math shown, merit likelihood, and what four years would really cost you. First three schools free.

Compare them for your student →

Go deeper on either school

College of Charleston — every income band · University of South Carolina-Columbia — every income band · All South Carolina public colleges