College of Charleston SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
The key signal at CofC is the 4.00 average GPA, not the 60% admit rate. Even with test-optional admissions, a strong score can add useful evidence, so aim near the top of the SAT range, around 1300, if you choose to submit.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
College of Charleston facts and stats
College of Charleston enrolls about 10,880 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. CofC has an 82% freshman retention rate, which is above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 66% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.
Charleston, SC
How do your scores compare at CofC?
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Key College of Charleston application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
January 15
Early Action
November 1
Early Decision
November 1
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
April 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional CofC, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and early fall for retakes. For the November 1 Early Decision and Early Action deadlines, an October SAT or ACT is typically the last fall retake whose scores are likely to arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
At College of Charleston, out-of-state tuition is $37,836, while in-state tuition is $12,518; room and board adds $14,332. About 40% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $18,081. Merit awards average $12,572, which can meaningfully reduce the billed cost for qualifying students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $33,803.
Student life at College of Charleston
32% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 21% of men join fraternities, and 24% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, SCAcceptance rate: 69.9%
Allen University
Columbia, SCAcceptance rate: 72.5%
Anderson University
Anderson, SCAcceptance rate: 54.7%
SAT: 1110–1270
ACT: 22–29
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SCAcceptance rate: 96.5%
SAT: 940–1170
ACT: 18–24
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