College of Charleston

What is the cost of studying for a year at College of Charleston?

Published costs vary sharply by residency. For the reported 2025-26 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees totaled approximately $12,978 for South Carolina residents and $38,844 for nonresidents. The difference is important: a scholarship does not necessarily erase the nonresident tuition premium.

• South Carolina undergraduate tuition and required fees: $12,978.
• Nonresident undergraduate tuition and required fees: $38,844.
• Typical room and board: $15,653 for the academic year.
• Estimated books and supplies: $1,560.

Adding those published categories gives about $30,191 for a resident or $55,509 for a nonresident, but neither figure is a complete cost-of-attendance budget: transportation, personal expenses and some program-specific costs are additional. Students living at home or off campus may face different housing and food expenses. Graduate tuition and fees follow separate rates.

Net price is different from the sticker price because it accounts for grant and scholarship aid. The reported average net price for students from families earning $48,000 or less was $13,406; individual offers can differ substantially. The reported financial-aid figures show that 95% of students received some form of aid and 38% had student loans. Eligible students may seek federal grants and loans, South Carolina aid, institutional scholarships and military education benefits; completing the required aid applications and checking scholarship deadlines are essential to obtaining an individual estimate. Students comparing offers should separate grants, which generally do not require repayment, from loans and earnings from work.

What are the work-study opportunities at College of Charleston?

College of Charleston students can pursue part-time employment, including campus jobs, while eligible students may qualify for Federal Work-Study. Work-Study is a form of need-based financial aid that helps fund wages from an approved job; it is not a grant paid automatically and does not guarantee a position.

Students generally need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to be considered for Federal Work-Study. Job availability, hiring requirements and the amount a student may earn depend on the award and employer. Ordinary student jobs may also be open to students without Work-Study eligibility, while internships may be paid, unpaid or taken for academic credit under different rules.

The college's career services include individual and group career planning, résumé help, interview preparation, job listings, employer recruiting and career fairs. Students can also use alumni networking and mentoring opportunities. These services support a job search; they are not employment guarantees.