Why Charleston, SC?

• Ranked the No. 1 city in the United States for the past eight years (Travel + Leisure)
• Ranked the No. 1 destination city in North America for the past nine years (Conde Nast Traveler)  
• Ranked the No. 1 friendliest city in America (Travel + Leisure)

About the College of Charleston

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities,  cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world. 

Undergraduate Programs

The College of Charleston features a liberal arts and sciences education that prepares students to be ethical, open-minded leaders and 21st-century problem solvers. The College was the first in America to have an undergraduate major in data science and also offers programs in popular subjects like business, communication, finance and systems engineering. In addition, the College offers 25 custom, interdisciplinary minors in topics as diverse as Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Crime, Law and Society.

Tuition

$32,848 per year.

Additional fees apply for health insurance, room and board.

scholarships

The International Ambassador Scholarship 

International students who apply to the College by March 1 and are admitted will be awarded $10,000 per year in scholarships. This is in addition to merit-based scholarships, for which international students are also eligible to apply. 

Eurasia International Ambassador Scholarship 

The Eurasia International Ambassador Scholarship is awarded to international students who are citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan. Apply by March 1, and upon acceptance you will receive $20,000 per year for a total of $80,000 towards a College of Charleston bachelor's degree.

Merit-Based Scholarships 

We review every international student to determine their eligibility for merit scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to international students who have exceptional academic records. 

Sister-State Scholarship for Taiwan, Germany and Austria

The College of Charleston offers reduced, in-state tuition (over a 50% tuition reduction) to international students seeking a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree and who are citizens of: 

• Rhineland Pfalz, Germany. 
• Thüringen, Germany. 
• Brandenburg, Germany. 
• Queensland, Australia. 
• Taiwan. 

The sister-state alliances were formed in the spirit of mutual collaboration, friendship and economic development between the people of South Carolina and other parts of the world. 

How to Apply for Undergraduate Admission

Application checklist for international students:  

1. Free, online College of Charleston application or Common Application.  
2. Certified English translation of official transcripts.
3. Minimum suggested standardized test scores:  

• iBT TOEFL: 80 
• IELTS: 6.5  
• iTEP: 3.8  
• SAT: 500 (EBRW: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) 
• ACT: 18 (reading) and 20 (English)  

If students do not meet the required English-language requirements, see the information for conditional acceptance. Prospective students should apply to the English Language Institute using a separate application.

Student Services

• Student Health Center  
• Student Center (includes game room)  
• Library  
• Fitness Center  
• Cafeterias  
• Furnished residence hall rooms  
• Intramural sports and club sports  
• 200+ student clubs and organizations (academic, social, international, religious) 
• Admission to university sporting events and social events  
• Free transportation on city buses 
• Student discounts throughout the city of Charleston