Charleston Southern University

In 2008, tuition for full-time CHARLESTON SOUTHERN students was $29,490 a year.

Tuition increased 2.9% in 2023–from $28,660 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

Charleston Southern University meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Charleston Southern University full-time are awarded $16,210 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $20,252 in student loans for each student with debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from South Carolina as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Take the time to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other South Carolina colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Charleston Southern University?

Charleston Southern University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Charleston Southern University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Charleston Southern University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Charleston Southern University.

House and Food Costs at Charleston Southern University

Room and board at Charleston Southern University is $14,536 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the Charleston Southern University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Charleston Southern University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Charleston Southern University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area might be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Charleston Southern University campus is located in a suburb in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Charleston Southern University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Charleston Southern University.

Total Cost of Charleston Southern University

What will the cost of attending Charleston Southern University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$29,490
Room and Board	$14,536

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$44,151
Off-Campus	$29,615

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Charleston Southern University

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The majority of Charleston Southern University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 1,732 of the 3,124 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Charleston Southern University meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,210 a year. Around 86% of Charleston Southern University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Charleston Southern University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,252 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,090
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Charleston Southern University Students
Federal Loans	86%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Charleston Southern University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Charleston Southern University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Charleston Southern University awarded 1,713 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $19.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.58 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Charleston Southern University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Charleston Southern University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Charleston Southern University was $16,210 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Charleston Southern University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$27,941
Off-Campus	$13,405

What will attending Charleston Southern University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Charleston Southern University's net cost calculator on their website.

Charleston Southern University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Charleston Southern University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2008, the total market value of Charleston Southern University's endowment was $18.2 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

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Learn More About Charleston Southern University

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