College of Charleston (CofC) vs Presbyterian College

College of Charleston and Presbyterian College, both esteemed institutions in South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. College of Charleston, nestled in the vibrant city of Charleston, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while Presbyterian College, located in the charming town of Clinton, emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation and a close-knit community. With acceptance rates of 68% and 74% respectively, both colleges welcome a substantial number of applicants. While College of Charleston's popular majors include Business Administration, Biology, and Psychology, Presbyterian College excels in fields such as Business, Education, and Nursing. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.
College of Charleston logo

College of Charleston

Presbyterian College logo

Presbyterian College

Overview

Location Charleston, South Carolina Clinton, South Carolina
Campus setting City: Midsize Town: Distant
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 83.0% 76.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Presbyterian

Admission

Acceptance rate 76.1% 71.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $60

Graduate: $60
$179
SAT range 1090 - 1280 1010 - 1220
ACT range 23 - 29 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 24.0% 39.0%
Students submitting ACT score 16.0% 27.0%
Total number of applicants 20,484 1,964
Total number of admissions given out 15,590 1,394
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,473 226
Yield rate 15.9% 16.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $30,535

Out of state: $51,995
$55,750
Average net price $20,255 $21,170
Tuition
In state: $12,518

Out of state: $33,978
$38,220
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $8,409

Meal plan: $4,550
Room/dormitory: $5,400

Meal plan: $5,700
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

98.0%
Average amount $9,850
95.0%
Average amount $33,202
Students receiving federal student loan 41.0%
Average amount $5,362
86.0%
Average amount $3,939
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $22,293
8.0%
Average amount $12,162

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 9,967
Men 33.6% Women 66.4%
991
Men 48.5% Women 51.5%
Graduate students 974
Men 22.6% Women 77.4%
240
Men 25.8% Women 74.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 53.1% 42.2%
International students 1.2% 2.7%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 3,338 1,122
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from South Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland South Carolina Georgia Florida North Carolina Virginia

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Education
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 67.0% 59.2%
Dropout rate 6.0% 8.4%
Transferred out 26.3% 31.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,600
  • Year 2: $65,238
  • Year 3: $78,911
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,306
  • Year 2: $60,623
  • Year 3: $72,292
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,506
  • Year 2: $52,941
  • Year 3: $70,637
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,151
  • Year 2: $43,519
  • Year 3: $56,541
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,823
  • Year 2: $42,930
  • Year 3: $55,591
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,896
  • Year 2: $40,688
  • Year 3: $48,268
Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,234
  • Year 2: $39,009
  • Year 3: $46,902
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,857
  • Year 2: $36,460
  • Year 3: $45,816
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,619
  • Year 2: $43,000
  • Year 3: $44,802
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,551
  • Year 2: $31,848
  • Year 3: $44,802
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,950
  • Year 2: $118,465
  • Year 3: $119,548
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,314
  • Year 2: $42,363
  • Year 3: $50,307
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $22,824
  • Year 3: $39,461
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,474
  • Year 2: $33,518
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,927
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $16,663
  • Year 3: N/A
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $36,312
  • Year 3: N/A
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,479
  • Year 2: $24,035
  • Year 3: N/A
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,696
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the primary differences in location and campus environment between the College of Charleston and Presbyterian College?

    The College of Charleston is located in the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, offering a vibrant urban environment with access to cultural attractions, restaurants, and a bustling downtown. Presbyterian College is situated in Clinton, South Carolina, providing a more traditional, small-town college experience with a close-knit community and a focus on campus life.

  • How do the academic programs compare at the College of Charleston and Presbyterian College?

    Both institutions offer a range of undergraduate programs. The College of Charleston is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as its business school. Presbyterian College emphasizes a liberal arts education with pre-professional programs, including pre-med, pre-law, and education, and has a growing focus on health sciences.

  • What is the student body like at each college?

    The College of Charleston has a larger and more diverse student body, attracting students from various backgrounds and locations. Presbyterian College has a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community where students often know each other well. Presbyterian College also has a strong Presbyterian Church affiliation, which influences the campus culture.

  • How does the cost of attendance compare between the two institutions?

    The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, can vary. Generally, both colleges are comparable in cost, but it's best to check the most recent tuition and fee information on each college's website. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available at both institutions to help offset the cost.

  • What are the opportunities for student life and extracurricular activities at each college?

    The College of Charleston offers a wide array of extracurricular activities, including Greek life, student organizations, and access to the city's cultural events. Presbyterian College provides a strong sense of community through its campus organizations, intramural sports, and religious life programs. Both colleges have Division I athletic programs, though the College of Charleston's are more extensive.

  • How do the admission requirements differ?

    Admission requirements are similar, with both colleges considering factors such as high school GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and extracurricular activities. However, the College of Charleston may have slightly higher average test scores due to its larger applicant pool. It's recommended to review the specific admission requirements on each college's website.

  • What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each institution?

    Both colleges offer career services to assist students with career exploration, resume writing, and job placement. The College of Charleston, due to its location in a major city, provides access to a wider range of internship opportunities in various industries. Presbyterian College also offers internship opportunities, particularly in the surrounding areas and through its alumni network.

  • Which college is better for someone interested in a specific major, such as pre-med or business?

    Presbyterian College is particularly well-regarded for its pre-med program and its focus on health sciences. The College of Charleston has a strong business school and offers a broader range of programs in the arts and sciences. Research the specific programs and faculty within your intended major at each institution to determine the best fit.

  • How does the campus culture differ?

    The College of Charleston has a more urban and independent campus culture, with students often exploring the city and its offerings. Presbyterian College fosters a close-knit, community-oriented culture with a strong emphasis on campus events and traditions. Presbyterian College also has a strong religious influence.

  • What are the graduation rates and alumni networks like?

    Both colleges have respectable graduation rates. The College of Charleston, being a larger institution, has a more extensive alumni network, providing more opportunities for networking and career advancement. Presbyterian College's alumni network is smaller but very supportive and engaged, fostering strong connections among graduates.

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