Charleston Southern University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Charleston Southern University was $29,490 a year.

Tuition increased 2.9% in 2022–from $28,660 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until after graduation.

Charleston Southern University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Charleston Southern University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from South Carolina as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as South Carolina residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Carolina colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Charleston Southern University?

Tuition at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or CHARLESTON SOUTHERN-specific aid and scholarships.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

---

Charleston Southern University Room, Board, Fees, and More

---

In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN.

Room and Board Costs at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN

Housing and campus dining at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN costs $14,536 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area might be expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Charleston Southern Universityis located in a suburban setting in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

---

The Full Cost of Attending Charleston Southern University

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending CHARLESTON SOUTHERN.

How Much Does CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Cost?

What will the cost of attending CHARLESTON SOUTHERN be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$29,490
Room and Board	$14,536

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$44,151
Off-Campus	$29,615

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Charleston Southern University Financial Aid

---

The majority of CHARLESTON SOUTHERN undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2022, 1,732 of the 3,120 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN meets 73% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,210 a year. Around 86% of CHARLESTON SOUTHERN undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,252 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,090
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Students
Federal Loans	86%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on CHARLESTON SOUTHERN financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Charleston Southern University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN awarded 1,713 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $19.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.58 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Charleston Southern University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for CHARLESTON SOUTHERN students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at CHARLESTON SOUTHERN was $16,210 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of CHARLESTON SOUTHERN seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$27,941
Off-Campus	$13,405

What will attending CHARLESTON SOUTHERN really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the CHARLESTON SOUTHERN's net cost calculator on their website.

Charleston Southern University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

---

Learn More About Charleston Southern University

---

Choose one of the options below to find out more about about CHARLESTON SOUTHERN:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others are saying about CHARLESTON SOUTHERN in the College Confidential forums