Charleston Southern University
Charleston Southern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Charleston Southern University at a Glance
Charleston Southern University (CSU) is a private university in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
1964
62 years old
$30M
$29.8 million (2024)
4,000
236
300 acres
Identity
Is Charleston Southern University Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Charleston Southern University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,898 — 15% below average — while paying $21,666/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,471 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Charleston Southern University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Charleston Southern University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in SC
Ranked #31 of 51 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #2 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #3 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #4 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | 44 | $18,196 | $55,362 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | 44 | $22,829 | $57,273 |
| #6 | St. Mary's University | 40 | $21,145 | $56,955 |
| #31 | Charleston Southern University | 25 | $21,666 | $45,898 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Charleston Southern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in SC.
Best Programs at Charleston Southern University
The highest-earning program at Charleston Southern University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Charleston Southern University earns $55,800, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $31,000 in median debt vs. $29,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,666/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,800 | $55,800 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,300 | $43,300 | $28,625 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,100 | $36,100 | $27,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,300 | $31,300 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,000 | $29,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $28,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,800 | $23,800 | $21,459 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,900 | $22,900 | $29,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Charleston, SC
- Student Body
- 2,893 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,666
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,898
- Median Student Debt
- $26,471