About Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University (CSU) is a 4-year, private, not-for-profit university with approximately 3,130 students. It is a faith-based institution associated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked this school in the top 100 for regional universities in the South.
Academics
Charleston Southern University was established in 1964 in coastal Charleston, South Carolina. CSU is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges. It offers 45 undergraduate majors through its College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Nursing and Allied Health, College of Science and Mathematics, School of Education, School of Christian Studies, School of Business, and College of Adult and Professional Studies. Master's degree programs are available in business, education, criminal justice, and nursing. CSU employs almost 300 faculty members and offers a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked CSU's online graduate business program in the top 100 online programs in the country.
Classes at CSU are offered during the day and evening, as well as online. Its library holds a selective collection of U.S. federal government documents and boasts more than 250,000 volumes overall. In addition to traditional educational programs, the school also offers Army and Air Force ROTC training programs, as well as international study opportunities. Extracurricular activities at CSU include NCAA Division I athletics, campus ministries, service programs, and academic clubs.
Admissions
CSU allows potential students to apply online by setting up an account with the school. Applicants who submit their information online prior to December 31 can avoid paying the $20 application fee. Required application materials include ACT or SAT scores, as well as official high school transcripts. In fall 2012, more than 2,700 applicants applied to CSU. Of those applicants, 82% were accepted, although only 29% chose to enroll. Nearly 90% of undergraduate students in attendance at CSU in fall 2011 were enrolled on a full-time basis, and more than half were female. The ethnicities most represented among the CSU student population were Caucasian and African American.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition and fees required to attend CSU are the same for both in-state and out-of-state students and total just under $21,500 a year. To help offset these costs, the school offers several types of scholarship, including academic and athletic. It also offers payment plan options and assistance applying for federal and state financial aid packages.
| CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year, private, not-for-profit* |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor's, master's* |
| Religious Affiliation | South Carolina Baptist Convention** |
| Academic Calendar | Semester** |
| School Setting | Small city* |
| Student Body | 2,779 undergraduates and 351 graduate students in 2012* |
| Student Housing | 6 residence halls** |
| ACADEMICS | |
| Schools and Programs | 7 schools and colleges; about 45 undergraduate majors** |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 16:1* |
| Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients) | In 2012: Bachelor's: Business Administration, Management, and Operations (49) Master's: Business Administration and Management (76)* |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rates (Students Enrolled in 2006) | 22% in 4 years 38% in 6 years* |
| ADMISSIONS | |
| Admission Rate | 82% in 2012* |
| First-Year Retention Rates | 56% of full-time students (2011-2012)* |
| Undergraduate Application Due Date | Before December 31 to avoid application fee** |
| TUITION & FINANCIAL AID | |
| Tuition | $21,440 for both undergraduates and graduates (includes tuition and fees in 2012-2013)* |
| Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Undergraduates Receiving It) | In 2011-2012: Grant or scholarship aid (95%), Pell grants (49%), federal loans (78%)* |
| Percent of First-Time, Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Some Sort of Aid | 99% (2011-2012)* |
Sources: *National Center for Education Statistics, **Charleston Southern University website.
School Contact Information
- Address: Office of Admissions, Charleston Southern University, 9200 University Blvd., Charleston, SC 29423
- Phone Number: (843) 863-7000
- Website: www.csuniv.edu
