Is College of Charleston test optional?

We haven't confirmed College of Charleston's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is College of Charleston's acceptance rate?

60% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 19,016 of 31,680 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 170%, from 11,722 in 2015 to 31,680 in 2024, and College of Charleston's admit rate went from 77% to 60%.

What ACT score do you need for College of Charleston?

11% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 25–30, with a median of 27. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1150–1300 works out to about 23–28.

Does applying early decision help at College of Charleston?

53% of early decision applicants were admitted (402 of 752), against 60% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

How many students get off the waitlist at College of Charleston?

491 of the 1,303 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 38%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for College of Charleston? (Middle 50%: 1150–1300)

First-year students at College of Charleston who sent an SAT scored 1150–1300, with a median of 1220 (Common Data Set 2024–25). College of Charleston admits 60% of applicants.

College of Charleston · Charleston, SC

Where your score lands at College of Charleston

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1150–1300, median 1220

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier College of Charleston is for you and whether to send your score.

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College of Charleston by the numbers

Admit rate: 60%
Middle 50% SAT: 1150–1300
Median SAT: 1220
About on the ACT: 23–28
Sent an SAT: 18%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

College of Charleston admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 170%, from 11,722 in 2015 to 31,680 in 2024, and College of Charleston's admit rate went from 77% to 60%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	31,680	19,016	60%
2023	26,683	19,212	72%
2022	22,020	16,666	76%
2021	20,484	15,590	76%
2020	15,214	11,307	74%
2019	11,783	9,230	78%
2018	11,675	9,254	79%
2017	11,900	9,574	80%
2016	10,828	9,110	84%
2015	11,722	9,043	77%

In fall 2024, 2,265 of the 19,016 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at College of Charleston

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1100Far reachHold
1100–1140ReachHold
1150–1210TargetHold
1220–1290TargetSend
1300 and upLikelySend

10001100120013001400

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

College of Charleston SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	550	590	640
SAT total	1150	1220	1300
ACT composite	25	27	30

Of enrolled first-year students, 18% sent an SAT and 11% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Top 10% of their class: 18%; of new students who reported a rank

College of Charleston early decision and waitlist

Early decision

402 of 752 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision53%
All applicants60%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

3,378 applicants were offered a spot, 1,303 took it, and 491 were admitted from it.

38%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

College of Charleston cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $18,960; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 66%
Median earnings: $56,416; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 11,616

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like College of Charleston

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in South Carolina

Every college for an SAT of1150 1220 1300

Sources

College of Charleston Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
College of Charleston website
College of Charleston

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1150–1300, and the median was 1220. At 1220 or higher you're above half of them. College of Charleston admits 60% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$