Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #1123 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 59.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #866 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Charleston Southern University is a private master's university in Charleston, South Carolina, enrolling roughly 2,893 undergraduates. Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #1123 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution maintains a 63.1% freshman retention rate and a 47.2% six-year graduation rate. Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #948 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,684, and Charleston Southern University earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 59.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Health, a field that typically leads to stable, in-demand career pathways with consistent employer recruitment. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. 34.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, and 30.7% are first-generation college students. Charleston Southern University sits in the 46.5 percentile for access and the 39.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students focused on health-related careers with manageable debt and a supportive regional institution, Charleston Southern offers a pathway grounded in strong program focus and earnings outcomes that reward degree completion.
Charleston Southern University's published cost of attendance is $44,558. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $20,145, middle-income families pay around $20,697, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,226. Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #866 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Charleston Southern participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The difference between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's financial aid commitment; families should review the net price illusion to understand how sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost diverge. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,471, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,387; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,684, median federal debt of $26,471 projects to a monthly payment of about $299 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Charleston Southern University is a good fit for students interested in health-focused fields who want a private university experience in SC. Its program mix leans heavily toward Health, with 19% of degrees awarded in this area. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $54,684, placing Charleston Southern University in the 24.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 59.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 34.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.7% are first-generation — and delivers a 42.3% Pell completion rate. Published cost of attendance is $23,226, and median federal debt at graduation is $26,471. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over others. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong outcomes relative to SC's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,959.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Charleston Southern University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer Science
14 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
90 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
35 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
11 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
14 graduates
Charleston Southern University's program mix is anchored in health-related fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven focus on preparing students for careers in healthcare and allied professions. The largest programs by enrollment are Nursing with 90 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $75,175, followed by Biology, General with 37 graduates, Kinesiology with 37 graduates, Business Administration with 35 graduates, and Teacher Education with 33 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 484 students annually, the institution's program portfolio emphasizes direct workforce preparation in healthcare and related service sectors. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in health-related fields.
Nursing leads with median 4-year earnings of $75,175 from 90 graduates, followed by Business Administration earning $69,117, Digital Marketing earning $57,179, Criminal Justice earning $53,162, and Communication and Media Studies earning $50,824. This concentration reflects Charleston Southern University's strategic positioning as a health-professions-focused institution where program design and curriculum align directly with employer demand in nursing, allied health, and healthcare administration.
These programs represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly into stable, in-demand roles with clear career progression. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) shows sustained demand for healthcare professionals across regions, supporting the institution's emphasis on health-related degree production.
For Charleston Southern University students, this program concentration means outcomes are tied closely to regional healthcare labor-market strength and the institution's ability to place graduates into clinical and administrative positions where earnings reflect both credential value and sector stability.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Berry College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30560 ranked) | GA | 64% | $53,800 | #30560 | Compare |
Southern Adventist University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30559 ranked) | TN | 66% | $53,723 | #30559 | Compare |
Mercyhurst University Similar quality tier (#30562 ranked) | PA | 81% | $47,452 | #30562 | Compare |
Scripps College Similar quality tier (#30563 ranked) | CA | 38% | $77,539 | #30563 | Compare |
Morehouse College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30564 ranked) | GA | 44% | $52,889 | #30564 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Charleston Southern University's published cost of attendance is $44,558. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $20,145, middle-income families pay around $20,697, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,226.
Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #866 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Charleston Southern participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The difference between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's financial aid commitment; families should review the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) to understand how sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost diverge.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,471, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,387; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,684, median federal debt of $26,471 projects to a monthly payment of about $299 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Charleston Southern University earn median 4-year earnings of $54,684, placing the institution in the 24.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, positioning Charleston Southern University in the 59.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Charleston Southern University #948 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Charleston Southern University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 90 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $75,175, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 37 students earning $46,399, and the The Kinesiology program graduates 37 students earning $47,715.
These programs anchor Charleston Southern University's return story, with health and allied health fields driving consistent mid-career earnings outcomes across the institution's degree portfolio.
