Charleston, SC · Private University
Is Charleston Southern University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,898
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$31,030
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,030
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$124,120
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.48x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
11.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,471
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,955
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Charleston Southern University graduates earn $898 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Charleston Southern University ranked by graduate earnings
96 graduates
41 graduates
26 graduates
21 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Charleston Southern University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Charleston Southern University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $66,480) and the lowest (Social Sciences, General: $32,051) is $34,429/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $66,480 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,513 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,903 | 1.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,448 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $37,652 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $37,342 | 1.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,021 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,818 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $35,200 | 1.1x |
| Social Sciences, GeneralLowest | $32,051 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Charleston Southern University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $45,898 10 years after starting, $898 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 11.4 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.