College of Charleston's published cost of attendance is $32,362. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $12,133, middle-income families pay around $16,797, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,996.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $32,362 |
| Tuition and Fees | $38,296 |
| Room and Board | $14,332 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,530 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$13,402 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,960 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,133 |
| $30–48k | $13,406 |
| $48–75k | $16,797 |
| $75–110k | $20,089 |
| $110k+ | $24,996 |
College of Charleston's published cost of attendance is $32,362. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $12,133, middle-income families pay around $16,797, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,996. Azimuth ranks College of Charleston #719 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. College of Charleston participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for most students, with financial aid reducing the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution's affordability ranking reflects both the headline net price and the debt load graduates carry out, shaped by the public-tuition structure and the breadth of aid available to students across income levels. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,971; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,354, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of College of Charleston earn median 4-year earnings of $58,354, placing the institution in the 33.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,225 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing College of Charleston in the 10.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks College of Charleston #1030 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects strength across applied and professional fields anchored in business and hospitality. Business Administration is the largest program with 177 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $71,360, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Communication and Media Studies program graduates 171 students earning $58,371, while Psychology, General and Biology, General round out the top programs with 168 and 162 graduates respectively. The concentration in Business — which represents a significant share of the institution's degree output — aligns with Charleston's regional labor market and hospitality-sector employer demand, contributing to the institution's above-average earnings outcomes for graduates entering professional and service-sector careers.
