Charleston Southern vs Lander University
Charleston Southern University and Lander University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Charleston Southern, a private Christian university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (68%) compared to Lander's (75%), indicating a more selective admissions process. Lander, a public university, enrolls a larger student body, fostering a diverse community. While Charleston Southern excels in nursing and business programs, Lander shines in education and psychology. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Charleston Southern's at 62% and Lander's at 58%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Charleston Southern University |
![]() Lander University |
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Overview |
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Location | Charleston, South Carolina | Greenwood, South Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 67.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 57.2% | 69.1% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 990 - 1200 | 950 - 1150 |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | 17 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 50.0% | 38.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | 22.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,940 | 4,795 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,254 | 3,311 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 690 | 899 |
Yield rate | 30.6% | 27.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $42,500 |
In state:
$26,320
Out of state:
$35,920
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Average net price | $18,182 | $17,083 |
Tuition | $28,630 |
In state:
$10,700
Out of state:
$20,300
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Room & board | $11,032 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,550
Meal plan:
$4,100
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $22,425 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,205 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
56.0%
Average amount $5,238 |
66.0%
Average amount $5,488 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $10,921 |
10.0%
Average amount $9,690 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,725
Men 35.6% Women 64.4% |
3,599
Men 31.3% Women 68.7% |
Graduate students |
616
Men 36.7% Women 63.3% |
226
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 23.5% | 10.3% |
International students | 2.3% | 2.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,424 | 1,738 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina North Carolina Georgia Florida Pennsylvania | South Carolina Georgia Florida North Carolina Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 49.3% | 53.3% |
Dropout rate | 49.7% | 19.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 27.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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