Charleston Southern University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Charleston Southern University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Charleston Southern University (CSU) is 86.75%. This means that 87 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

How Competitiveness is Charleston Southern University Admissions?

  • Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
  • GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
  • A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Charleston Southern University Admission Competitiveness

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as CSU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.

Charleston Southern University Admission Requirements

Can I Get Into CSU Without SAT Or ACT?: Charleston Southern University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.



Charleston Southern University (CSU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Charleston Southern University Average SAT Score: 1072
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Charleston Southern University is 1072 on the 1600 SAT scale.

Charleston Southern University SAT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes it an easy target or SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1072 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Charleston Southern University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 940, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to CSU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

Charleston Southern University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math 520470570
SAT Reading 535470600
SAT Composite 10729401170

It means that if you have scored less than 940 then you are below most of the admitted students at CSU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1170 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050

Can I get into Charleston Southern University (CSU) with a 1150 SAT?

With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Charleston Southern University (CSU) are good but the admission staff at CSU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Charleston Southern University (CSU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at CSU is 21.

Charleston Southern University ACT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes Charleston Southern University less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 21 on the ACT.

Charleston Southern University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math 201623
ACT English 201624
ACT Composite 211823

Can I get into Charleston Southern University with a 23 ACT?

With a 23 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Charleston Southern University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Charleston Southern University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 21.

CSU Profile

Name: Charleston Southern University (CSU)

State: South Carolina

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 29406-9121

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)


How much does a degree from CSU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Charleston Southern University is USD: 42810. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Charleston Southern University is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

35.41% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 52.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to CSU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Charleston Southern University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist CSU as your choice in the form.

How much a CSU Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the CSU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 45898. An average CSU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595



More Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Charleston Southern University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Charleston Southern University, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University at Montgomery Auburn University at Montgomery, AL105122
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University, AL105520
Troy University Troy University, AL105021
Williams Baptist University Williams Baptist University, AR105021
Colorado Mesa University Colorado Mesa University, CO106222
Metropolitan State University of Denver Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO102520
Colorado State University Pueblo Colorado State University Pueblo, CO103121
Central Connecticut State University Central Connecticut State University, CT106121
The Baptist College of Florida The Baptist College of Florida, FL104520
Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University, GA105721


Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Charleston Southern University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Charleston Southern University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Pacific Union College Pacific Union College, CA107521
Adams State University Adams State University, CO106621
Colorado Mesa University Colorado Mesa University, CO106222
Eastern Connecticut State University Eastern Connecticut State University, CT107922
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, FL107721
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Charleston Southern University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
University of South Alabama University of South Alabama, AL111823
Arkansas State University Arkansas State University, AR111922
University of Central Arkansas University of Central Arkansas, AR111822
Azusa Pacific University Azusa Pacific University, CA113225
University of La Verne University of La Verne, CA111622

Degree Programs


Bachelor Degree Programs


Full list of All degree programs offered by Charleston Southern University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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