College of Charleston Tuition and Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the costs associated with attending college is a crucial step in planning your higher education journey. This article provides a detailed overview of the tuition, fees, and other expenses at the College of Charleston, offering valuable insights for prospective students and their families.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance (COA)

The College of Charleston provides an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA), which is a comprehensive estimate of the expenses a student can expect to incur during an academic year. While your actual COA will be unique to your individual circumstances, the estimated average costs are essential for two key reasons:

Financial Aid Limit: The total amount of financial aid you can receive from all sources (grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment) cannot exceed the COA.
Budgeting Tool: The COA provides a benchmark for budgeting your expenses, although your actual costs may be higher or lower than the estimated average.

Tuition and Fees

The most significant component of the COA is tuition and fees. These charges cover the cost of instruction, access to campus facilities, and student services. Here's a breakdown of the College of Charleston's tuition and fees structure:

In-State Tuition: \$12,978 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: \$38,844 per year

These figures represent the "sticker price" and include both tuition and mandatory fees. It's important to note that tuition and fees apply to all classes, regardless of the delivery method (in-person, online, or hybrid), unless otherwise stated. All tuition and fees are approved by the Board of Trustees, and no other fees are charged to students for enrolled classes unless specifically noted.

Additional Fees

The College of Charleston may assess fees for specific courses or programs to offset expenses directly related to student participation. Here's a detailed list of course and program fees:

Laboratory Fees:

Biology: \$75
Chemistry: \$125
Engineering: \$125
Geology: \$75
Physics: \$75
Astronomy: \$75
Computer Science Lab Fee: \$60
Language Lab Fee: \$35

Music and Arts Fees:

Applied Music Fee (½ Hour Course): \$225
Applied Music Fee (1 Hour Course): \$450
Studio Arts Fees (“Arts” Courses): \$75
Photography Course Fee: \$75

Other Course Fees:

Psychology Lab Fee: \$75
PEAC Course Fee: \$30
ATEP Course Fee: \$65
EXCS Course Fee: \$90
HSH Experiential Learning Course Fee: \$100
PEAC Women's Self Defense: \$108
PEAC Surfing: \$60
Anthropology Course Fee (ANTH 493): \$15 per credit
Anthropology Course Fee (ANTH 336): \$50
School of Business Fee (Classes 300 Level or Higher): \$75 per credit
School of Engineering, Computing, and Math Fee: \$50 per credit
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (Classes 300 Level or Higher): \$50 per credit
PE/Health 202 Lab Activities: \$125

Wellness and Wellbeing Fee:

Freshman: \$90
Sophomores: \$85
Juniors: \$80

Other Program Fees:

Honors College Program Fee: \$175
CharlestonLIFE General Program Fee: \$14,800

Activity and Sports Fees:

Coastal Kayaking: \$300
Golf Fee: \$45
Ice Skating Fee: \$285
Outdoor Education: \$300
Sailing Fee: \$300
Scuba Fee: \$85
Standup Paddleboarding: \$240

Administrative Fees:

Application Fee - Electronic: \$60
Application Fee - Paper: \$60 (Undergraduate), \$90 (Graduate)
Orientation Fee: \$133
Graduate Matriculation Fee: \$45
Convocation Fee: \$15
Graduation Fee: \$25
Graduation Application Late Fee: \$25
Transcript Fee: \$12
Transcript Fee- Electronic: \$10
Additional Fee for Fax: \$5
Math Placement Fee: \$25
Contract Courses: \$140
Out of State Differential: \$200
Special Project Contract Courses (3 Hour Course): \$150 (Out of State Differential: \$240)
Special Project Contract Courses (2 Hour Course): \$100 (Out of State Differential: \$160)
Special Project Contract Courses (1 Hour Course): \$50 (Out of State Differential: \$80)
Study Abroad Fee: \$150
Teachers Cadet Fee (High School): \$50
Audit Fee (Per Credit Hour): \$522 (Resident), \$1,577 (Non-Resident) Undergraduate; \$574 (Resident), \$1,668 (Non-Resident) Graduate
High School Dual Enrollment (Per Course): \$450
Summer School Drop Fee (Per Course): \$250
Senior Citizens Registration: \$50
Duplicate ID: \$20
Payment Plan Fee: \$40
Returned Check Fee: \$30
Late Payment Fee: 3.75%
Counseling-Non-Cancellation Fee (Per Appointment): \$25

One Year MBA Program Fees:

One Year MBA Program (Fall & Spring): \$13,600/semester
One Year MBA Program (Summer): \$4,800

Note: Fees listed are non-refundable following the end of the add/drop period.

Residency

Tuition costs are significantly different for South Carolina residents compared to out-of-state students. To be considered a resident, students (or their parents) must be legal residents of South Carolina, in accordance with the legislation of the South Carolina General Assembly. Military personnel on active duty stationed in South Carolina and their dependents may be eligible for in-state fees, but must be approved by the Legal Residency Office. Contact the Legal Residency Office for information and applications.

Auditing Courses

Persons wishing to audit regular academic courses at the college must pay any special course fees and full per-credit-hour costs.

Other Expenses

Beyond tuition and fees, students should also budget for other expenses, including:

Room and Board: This covers the cost of housing and meals. Campus Housing has a complete list of on-campus residence halls/houses and costs. For a complete list of meal plans and costs, visit Campus Dining Services.
Books and Supplies: Estimate around \$1,530 per year for books and supplies.
Transportation: Transportation costs include expenses for commuting to campus, parking, and travel. The College's parking policies provide information about parking on or near campus, and there are various transportation options available. Estimate around \$2,594 per year for transportation.
Personal Expenses: These include items like clothing, entertainment, and other personal needs. Estimate around \$2,255 per year for personal expenses.
Laptop: While students are not required to purchase a laptop through the College of Charleston IT online stores, they are required to have a laptop that meets or exceeds the minimum laptop specifications for their class. This ensures that all students have equal access to a minimum level of technology and that instructors are able to incorporate this technology into their required coursework.
Cougar Card: The Cougar Card is the official College of Charleston ID for all students, faculty and staff; it’s your key to campus events, facilities and services. Use it to access your meal plan, Dining Dollars and Cougar Cash (our on-campus debit system).Use it for free admission to all College of Charleston sporting events and for free rides with CARTA. You can also use it as your College of Charleston library card. Deposit funds to Cougar Cash or Dining Dollars online using the eBill system and funds will be available within two hours. You may also deposit funds in person at Campus Services HQ at 162 Calhoun St. and funds will be available immediately.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help students cover the cost of college. It can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need, which is typically determined based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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Students Receiving Financial Aid: 40%
Average Aid Package: \$18,081
Average Net Price: \$20,806 per year

Types of Financial Aid

Grants and Scholarships: These are forms of "gift" money that do not need to be repaid, usually awarded based on financial need or merit. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded is \$3,013.
Loans: These are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest. The average need-based loan amount is \$3,397. The typical amount of loans a student must pay back is \$33,803.
Work-Study: This program allows students to earn money through part-time employment, often on campus.

Financial Aid Dates

Application Due: March 1 (The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.)
Priority Application Due: April 1 (Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.)

Net Price

Your net price is the college's cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. It's a more personalized estimate of what you'll actually pay. The average net price at the College of Charleston is \$20,806 per year.

Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) Program

The College of Charleston offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) program designed for adult learners. The college offers a 20% discount on tuition to B.P.S. students.

Scholarships for B.P.S. Students

Several scholarships are specifically available for B.P.S. students:

F.X. Schupper Lifelong Learning Endowed Scholarship: For adult students pursuing credit-bearing coursework.
Sue Sommer-Kresse Scholarship: For declared Bachelor of Professional Studies students who have demonstrated financial need.
The Betty A. Kinloch Scholarship: For an adult student with demonstrated financial need.
The Thomas A. Palmer Scholarship: Established by the college's first Dean of Continuing Education to assist adult students.
The Hargrave Fund: To assist adult students in furthering their education.
Mary A. Skipper Endowed Scholarship Fund: For a married female with children, of at least 30 years of age, enrolled in at least six credits toward a declared major who demonstrate community volunteer work and have maintained a 3.0 GPA.
The Sara R. Grants: Grants are gift (free) money, which are usually given on the basis of financial need.

Career Services

The College of Charleston School of Business provides resources to help students advance their careers:

Resume Workshops and Interview Prep: Average cost: \$500-\$1,000
CareerLeader Assessment: Average cost: \$100

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