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College of Charleston

66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424, USA

College of Charleston award
College of Charleston award
US ranking
position: 284
Tuition & fees per year: $12,978
Acceptance rate: 72.00%
Median alumni salary: $36,253
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1185 SAT, 26 ACT
Entrance difficulty: N/A

What does College of Charleston offer in terms of athletics?

College of Charleston provides a diverse athletics program with participation in NCAA Division I sports. The college's teams, known as the Cougars, compete primarily in the Colonial Athletic Association. Students have access to a variety of men's and women's sports, including basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and cross country, offering numerous opportunities for both athletes and sports enthusiasts to engage in collegiate competition.

What student groups and Associations are available at College of Charleston?

College of Charleston offers a diverse range of student groups and associations that cater to varied interests and promote campus involvement. Among them are the Student Government Association, which provides a platform for student representation and leadership; the Cougar Activities Board, responsible for organizing campus events and activities; and the Black Student Union, fostering a supportive community and cultural awareness.

Additionally, the Charleston Miracle group contributes to community service initiatives, allowing students to engage beyond campus boundaries. Sports enthusiasts can participate in Intramural Basketball, offering competitive yet recreational athletic opportunities.

Regarding student participation, approximately 15% of the student body is actively involved in social organizations, reflecting an engaged campus culture. The student population includes 3,216 men and 6,921 women, with respective active memberships in campus groups and activities.

Who studies at College of Charleston?

The student population at College of Charleston is diverse in multiple dimensions, including residency status, enrollment type, age, and ethnicity. A significant majority of students-99%-are from the United States, placing the campus in a relatively high national percentile for domestic enrollment. However, among these students, the proportion of in-state attendees is relatively low at 38%, which ranks in the bottom 15% nationally. Conversely, out-of-state students make up a large portion, 61%, which is considered very high and in the top 10% compared to other institutions.

The college enrolls a high number of freshmen, totaling 2,637, positioning it in the top 20% for freshman class size. Transfer students number 640, categorized as average, while total enrollment stands at 3,277 students, which is also high and in the top 25% nationally. These figures suggest that the institution attracts a substantial number of new students annually, both freshmen and transfers.

Regarding the age distribution, the majority of undergraduate students are traditional college-age, with the largest groups between 18-21 years old-4,403 aged 18-19 and 4,232 aged 20-21. Older undergraduates are present but less common, with decreasing numbers in age brackets above 22, including 1,175 students aged 22-24 and smaller groups beyond that. Graduate students show an older age profile, with notable numbers in their late twenties through fifties, including 232 students aged 22-24 up to 166 aged 50-64.

Ethnically, College of Charleston exhibits an enrollment distribution where white students dominate with 8,335 individuals, placing this demographic in the top 10% nationally in terms of representation. Hispanic and African American students are represented at average levels, with 814 and 563 students respectively, both near the midpoint in national percentiles. Other minority groups, including Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and those identifying with two or more races, are present in smaller numbers, each classified as average in terms of representation. Students with unknown ethnicity constitute a modest portion of the population.

How does student life look like at College of Charleston?

Student life at College of Charleston offers a blend of cultural and recreational opportunities that cater to diverse interests. The campus supports several student-run media and arts organizations, including a newspaper, a radio station, a campus television station, a drama program, and a chorus. However, there is no campus band available for students.

Health and well-being resources are accessible, with the presence of a health clinic, psychological counseling services, and a veterans affairs office to support those who have served in the military. While legal services and a women's center are not provided, the available services cover important aspects of student wellness and support.

The student body size is moderately large, with a total enrollment of 11,926 students, and a strong representation of full-time degree-seeking women, whose numbers are notably high compared to national averages. The student-faculty ratio stands at 17 to 1, which may facilitate more personalized academic interactions.

International diversity is a distinctive feature, with students coming from 69 different countries, reflecting a globally engaged community that likely enriches campus life and academic perspectives.

In terms of athletics, College of Charleston participates in NCAA competitions, offering students the chance to engage with a structured varsity sports environment.

What libraries are available to students at College of Charleston?

College of Charleston offers access to three libraries, including the main Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library. This number of libraries ranks in the top 30% nationally, indicating a strong library presence on campus. In addition to the main library, students benefit from two other libraries, placing the school in the top 35% for additional library resources.

The library system supports a substantial collection, with approximately 591,443 physical books, which is considered average and falls within the top 45% compared to peer institutions. The digital collections are notably extensive, featuring over 1.3 million eBooks, a figure that ranks highly in the top 20%. Additionally, the college maintains around 145,161 digital subscriptions, situating its electronic periodical access around the midpoint nationally.

Students have access to 428 databases, a moderate offering that falls just below the median tier. Subscriptions to print-based resources number 233, placing this area in the lower 40% nationally, suggesting a greater emphasis on digital materials. The libraries provide a range of study rooms and physical facilities to support student needs, although they do not offer all-day access.

The Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library and its counterparts are staffed by trained personnel, ensuring professional assistance. Established operating hours and digital access options complement students' research and study activities. Access to shared collections further expands available resources, enhancing academic exploration.

With weekly service hours totaling 97, the libraries maintain consistent availability throughout the school week to support student academic work and research endeavors.

College of Charleston Student Life for 2026

Total enrollment

11926

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

2260

Member of Athletic Associations

Data not available

Total staff

524 full time, 402 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

College of Charleston Library Services and Resources

Main library name

Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library

Number of libraries on campus

3

Reservable study rooms in library

Yes

24h access

No

Physical facilities

Yes

Access to digital/electronic resources

Yes

Staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Yes

Established library hours

Yes

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions

Yes

College of Charleston Computer Labs Access

  • 24h access
  • Help desk

College of Charleston Student Life Enrollment Statistics

Freshly enrolled students' state of residence

US
International

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshman
Transfer

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

College of Charleston Location & Map