Charleston Southern University offers a well-rounded, practical liberal arts education that is taught in a stimulating Christian environment. At Charleston Southern, students are challenged academically, and each course of study integrates faith into the curriculum.
Charleston Southern students study in small class settings (14:1 faculty/student ratio), led by professors who serve as caring mentors. Students also have the chance to experience opportunities found at larger universities, such as dynamic campus ministries, a nationally recognized community service program, academic and service clubs and organizations, and Division I athletics.
Student Profile
Fall 2015 Enrollment
3,112 undergraduate students
90% of undergrad students are full time
37% male — 63% female
16.72% of students are from out of state
Faculty Profile
2015-2016 Academic Year
163 full-time faculty
129 part-time faculty
15 to 1 student/faculty ratio
Residence Life
Fall 2015
42% of all students live on campus
School Location
Charleston Southern University is located at the center of the Charleston metropolitan area, providing college students with easy access to the beautiful South Carolina beaches, downtown Charleston, historical sites, professional sports, the arts, and more. Charleston, South Carolina, has been named the “2016 Best City in the World” by Travel + Leisure magazine. Some local attractions include: Waterfront Park, Charleston Farmers Market, South Carolina Aquarium, Folly Beach Pier, Southeastern Wildlife Expo, and the Holiday Festival of Lights.
High-Impact Practices
Read more about the importance of High-Impact Practices
| First-Year Seminars and Experiences | x |
| Common Intellectual Experiences | x |
| Learning Communities | |
| Writing-Intensive Courses | |
| Collaborative Assignments and Projects | x |
| Undergraduate Research | x |
| Diversity/Global Learning | x |
| Service Learning, Community-Based Learning | x |
| Internships/Coops/Practicums | x |
| Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience | x |
Retention Fall 2015
65% of students began in Fall 2014 and returned in Fall 2015 (full time, first time freshmen)
6 Year Graduation Rate 2015
39% of students graduated in 6 years
ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2015
| Nonresident aliens | 1% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 3% |
| Black or African American | 26% |
| White | 61% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1% |
| Asian | 2% |
| Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander | 0% |
| Two or more races | 2% |
| Race and/or ethnicity unknown | 4% |
Athletics
The Charleston Southern University Buccaneers are an NCAA Division I athletic program. Charleston Southern fields teams in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cross country, track and field, golf, tennis, and volleyball, as well as a Football Championship Subdivision football team. Recently, the Buccaneers have won conference titles in football, women’s softball, men’s basketball, women’s tennis, and men’s golf.
School Colors: Blue and Gold
Mascot: Bucky
Other Information
Founded in 1964, Charleston Southern University is one of South Carolina’s largest accredited, independent universities, enrolling 3,650 students. Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the university’s vision is to be a Christian university nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading, and serving. Charleston Southern is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Academic Programs
Bachelor of Arts: Christian Studies, Christian Studies: Biblical Languages Emphasis, Communication, Computer and Information Sciences, English, English: Writing Emphasis, English Education, Graphic Design, History, Humanities and Fine Arts, Music and Worship Leadership, Music Education (Choral), Music Education (Instrumental), Music Therapy, Performance (Instrumental), Performance (Vocal), Spanish, Student Ministry, Theatre
Bachelor of Business Administration: Accounting, Management, Marketing, Business Administration: Emphasis in Entrepreneurship, Business Administration: Emphasis in Management, Business Administration: Emphasis in Marketing, School of Business
Bachelor of Science: Applied Mathematics, Athletic Training Program, Biochemistry, Biology: General Emphasis, Biology: Pre-professional Emphasis, Biology: Wildlife Emphasis, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, Elementary Education, Health Promotion, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Natural Science, Organizational Management, Organizational Management: Healthcare Management Concentration, Organizational Management: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration, Organizational Management: Human, Resources Management Concentration, Organizational Management: Project Management Concentration, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, Sociology: Human Services Emphasis
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN (online), College of Nursing
More Distinctions
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Charleston Southern University serves a large number of veterans and sponsors a Student Veterans of America chapter and is a VA Yellow Ribbon Program and has been named a Military Friendly school. A lounge area for veterans was recently opened on campus.
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Charleston Southern faculty and alumni are frequently invited to perform at the internationally acclaimed Spoleto Festival and Charleston’s local component, Piccolo Spoleto.
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America’s 100 Best College Buys
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America’s Best Christian Colleges
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Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans
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U.S. News & World Report Top 20 Online Bachelor’s Programs
Liberal Arts Core
The Liberal Arts Core curriculum, completed by all students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, is designed to ensure that graduates leave with a basic understanding of human history, culture and relationships, the arts, literature, mathematics, and the natural sciences. The curriculum pushes students to reflect upon these in terms of a Christian vision of life.
Undergraduate Research
Opportunities for undergraduate research are available in multiple academic disciplines. Students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty, and several recent faculty/student research projects have received funding through the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Recent research projects presented at the annual Spring Symposium include research in biology, politics, business, English, computer science, Christian studies, music, graphic design, chemistry, psychology, and music therapy.
Activities Offered
| Campus Ministries | x |
| Choral groups | x |
| Concert band | x |
| Dance | |
| Drama/theater | x |
| International Student Organization | x |
| Jazz band | x |
| Literary magazine | x |
| Marching band | x |
| Model UN | |
| Music ensembles | x |
| Musical theater | x |
| Opera | |
| Pep band | x |
| Radio station | |
| Student government | x |
| Student newspaper | x |
| Student-run film society | |
| Symphony orchestra | x |
| Television station | |
| Yearbook | x |
Freshman Seminar
Freshman Seminar is a one-hour course taken by freshmen based on their academic major that helps orient students into the university experience.
Honors Program
The most academically distinguished students have the option to enroll in the Honors Program, which combines academics with a variety of cultural and social activities.
The Bridge Program
The Bridge Program gives underprepared students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. Through counseling and tutoring, students who did not originally meet admissions requirements have the chance to develop their academic skills.
Common Core
| Arts/fine arts | x |
| Computer literacy | x |
| English (including composition) | x |
| Foreign languages | x |
| History | x |
| Humanities | x |
| Mathematics | x |
| Philosophy | |
| Sciences (biological or physical) | x |
| Social science | x |
City as Text
City as Text is a unique class experience that allows students to see, touch, and feel history. A recent Christian History class was taught in downtown Charleston, taking students on visits to numerous historical sites.
Special Series
Charleston Southern University sponsors multiple annual lecture series, cultural events, and leadership training. Examples of annual events are: Student Leadership Academy, Values & Ethics Lecture Series, CSU Arts Week, The Lens Lecture Series, Welcoming Faith into the Science Classroom, and multiple music and theatre performances.
CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATES
| Coed dorms | |
| Men’s dorms | x |
| Women’s dorms | x |
| Apartments for married students | |
| Apartments for single students | |
| Special housing for disabled students | |
| Special housing for international students | |
| Fraternity/sorority housing | |
| Cooperative housing | |
| Theme housing | |
| Wellness housing | |
| Other housing options |
Other: on-campus hotel
Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI)
The Experiential Learning Initiative, or ELI, provides enriched educational opportunities via internships, practicums, clinicals, field courses, and other real-world applications of classroom theory. Commencing with the 2018 freshman class, students will be required to earn experiential credits, but opportunities for participating in experiential learning already flourish at Charleston Southern anyway.
Clubs and Organizations
Charleston Southern University offers more than 25 academic clubs and student organizations. This is a great way to get plugged in, meet new friends, and make a difference. From business to nursing and athletics, Charleston Southern has social activities to interest everyone.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Fall 2015
4,197 Total Applicants
2,463 Total Admissions
756 Total Freshmen Enrollment
Selectivity
58.68% of applicants admitted
Admissions Deadlines for 2016-17 Admission
Rolling Admission? Yes
Admissions Factors
Very Important
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Important
Rigor of secondary school record
Considered
Class rank
Character/personal qualities
Religious affiliation/commitment
Freshmen Profile Fall 2015
| 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |
| SAT Critical Reading | 450 | 560 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 550 |
| SAT Writing | ||
| SAT Essay | ||
| ACT Composite | 20 | 25 |
| ACT Math | 18 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 25 |
| ACT Writing |
TUITION AND COSTS
Net Price Calculator
TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2014/2015
| Expenses | |
| Tuition | $22,800 |
| Fees | $40 |
| Total | $23,200 |
| Room and Board (on campus) | $9,000 |
| Estimated Total On Campus | $32,200 |
FINANCIAL AID
Average Financial Aid Packages 2014/2015
$18,823 First year students
$21,767 All undergrads
Financial Aid Breakdown 2014/2015
$4,343 Average need-based scholarship or grant award
$3,503 Average need-based loan