How to get into College of Charleston
How to get into College of Charleston: the Honors College, the Marine Biology program, and the South-of-Broad campus
60%
Acceptance rate
$12,978
In-state cost
$38,296
Out-of-state cost
What makes College of Charleston admissions different
The College of Charleston is a mid-sized public liberal arts and sciences university in downtown Charleston, SC. Acceptance rate around 60%. Founded 1770 (one of the oldest universities in the US). The Honors College, the Marine Biology program (the largest undergraduate marine biology program in the country), and the historic peninsula campus are the headline features. South Carolina residents face a meaningfully lower bar than out-of-state applicants.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App or College of Charleston application by Early Action (November 1) or Regular Decision (March 1). EA is non-binding and gives faster scholarship decisions.
- 2.
Submit the College of Charleston supplement. Engage with the Charleston location, specific programs (Marine Biology, Arts Management, Hispanic Studies), or the Honors College.
- 3.
College of Charleston is test-optional. Submit SAT/ACT only if they strengthen your application.
- 4.
Apply to the Honors College on the application — separate essays and consideration.
- 5.
Marine Biology applicants: the program has its own selectivity within the college and meaningful research opportunities at the Grice Marine Lab.
- 6.
South Carolina residents: confirm LIFE Scholarship eligibility (state-funded merit award covering full or partial in-state tuition based on GPA and SAT/ACT).
- 7.
Apply for competitive merit (Charleston Fellows, McNair Scholars). McNair Scholars is for African American applicants planning to pursue a PhD.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the EA deadline. EA applicants get earlier scholarship and Honors decisions.
- ✕
South Carolina residents not applying for LIFE Scholarship through their high school.
- ✕
Treating the Marine Biology program as easy entry. It's competitive within the college.
- ✕
Out-of-state applicants underestimating cost. OOS sticker is high — institutional merit and program-specific awards are the levers.
The specifics for College of Charleston
Application deadlines
- Early ActionNovember 1, 2025
- Regular DecisionMarch 1, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Marine Biology program
Among the largest undergraduate marine biology programs in the country. Grice Marine Laboratory supports undergraduate research on the SC coast.
Honors College
Separate application within the college. Honors students get small seminars and a thesis pathway.
Notable scholarships at College of Charleston
LIFE Scholarship (state-administered)
SC residents meeting state academic eligibility. Covers significant portion of in-state tuition.
Charleston Fellows and McNair Scholars Program
Top competitive awards with separate application requirements.
What graduates actually do
College of Charleston is a public liberal arts university (one of only a handful designated as such) in historic downtown Charleston, SC. Alumni place strongly into Charleston-area finance, real estate, tourism, and the arts, with notable representation in South Carolina state government and business. The School of Business and the marine biology, historic preservation, and arts management programs are particularly distinctive.
Notable alumni
- Stephen Colbert — Comedian/TV host
- Thomas Heyward — Signer of Declaration of Independence
- Edward Rutledge — Signer of Declaration of Independence
- Orlando Jones — Actor
- Edwin Taliaferro — Religious leader
Transfer pathway
College of Charleston has articulation agreements with Trident Technical College (adjacent to campus) and other South Carolina Technical College System institutions. The South Carolina Transfer Block (35 credits) is honored from any public two-year institution. Minimum 2.6 GPA typical for transfer admission; business and selective majors require higher. Up to 76 credits transfer from two-year institutions.
Articulation partners
Trident Technical College · Horry-Georgetown Technical College · Greenville Technical College · Midlands Technical College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
College of Charleston is a target for South Carolina residents and out-of-state applicants who want a historic public liberal arts and sciences college in a coastal city. Most SC residents with a 3.3+ GPA are admitted; OOS bar is meaningfully tighter. Honors College and competitive merit are the high-leverage moves.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.