More selective than 3% of South Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
47% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 33% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose CSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have CSU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at CSU or have its file? Send it to us.
CSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, CSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 480 | 600 |
| SAT math | 450 | 560 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 24 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 930 | 1160 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
CSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 96% | 480–600 | 450–560 | 18–24 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 76% | 480–600 | 470–560 | 17–24 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is CSU compared with other South Carolina colleges?
CSU has the 29th-lowest acceptance rate of 30 South Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | South Carolina State University | 83% | 37% | $18,097 |
| 23 | Francis Marion University | 86% | 43% | $11,386 |
| 24 | Newberry College | 90% | 45% | $21,656 |
| 25 | Columbia College | 94% | 37% | $18,408 |
| 26 | Coker University | 94% | 40% | $20,286 |
| 27 | Columbia International University | 94% | 47% | $26,036 |
| 28 | Benedict College | 96% | 24% | $18,250 |
| 29 | Charleston Southern University | 96% | 47% | $21,666 |
| 30 | Southern Wesleyan University | 100% | 52% | $15,464 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All South Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at CSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
CSU admissions questions
What is the CSU acceptance rate?
Charleston Southern University accepts 96% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 4,620 of 6,072 applicants were admitted.
Does CSU require the SAT or ACT?
Charleston Southern University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 47% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 33% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for CSU?
The middle 50% of Charleston Southern University enrolled first-year students scored 930–1160 on the SAT and 18–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at CSU?
16% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (725 of 4,620).
Is CSU getting harder to get into?
Charleston Southern University accepted 96% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 76% for Fall 2023.
Is CSU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Charleston Southern University overview