College of Charleston

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at College of Charleston was $12,518 a year for in-state students and $36,398 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 36,398 per year for tuition at College of Charleston.

College of Charleston meets 51.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend College of Charleston full-time are awarded $15,431 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $32,855 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at College of Charleston

College of Charleston is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,518 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-South Carolina residents, out-of-state tuition is $36,398 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to check your state's requirements for in-state residency. 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 College of Charleston?

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

International students at College of Charleston can expect to pay around $36,398 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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

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College of Charleston Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at College of Charleston.

Room and Board Costs at College of Charleston

Room and board at College of Charleston costs $14,032 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the College of Charleston's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at College of Charleston?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books 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 charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at College of Charleston

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. 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 easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At College of Charleston, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact your transportation budget. 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 a city may be expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. College of Charlestonis in a city in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for College of Charleston

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending College of Charleston.

Total Cost of College of Charleston

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$12,518
Out-of-State Tuition	$36,398
Room and Board	$14,032

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

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

College of Charleston’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for part-time students

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Financial Aid at College of Charleston

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In 2023, 3,943 of the 9,972 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. College of Charleston meets 51.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,431 a year. Around 51.1% of College of Charleston undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. College of Charleston graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $32,855 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,234
State Loans	$12,584
Private Loans	$48,092

Most Common Loans for College of Charleston Students
Federal Loans	48.7%
State loans	1.1%
Private loans	13%

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 College of Charleston financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at College of Charleston

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, College of Charleston awarded 3,225 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $35.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $29.07 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of College of Charleston

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 College of Charleston 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 College of Charleston was $15,431 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of College of Charleston seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-3,852
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,453
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$35,459

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending College of Charleston 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 College of Charleston's net cost calculator on their website.

College of Charleston Tuition Payment Plans

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

College of Charleston does not have guaranteed tuition.

College of Charleston offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

College of Charleston Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

College of Charleston has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

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

College of Charleston'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.

College of Charleston's endowment was valued at $124.2 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $9,160 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About College of Charleston

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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