College of Charleston - International Admissions 

Fast Facts

• School Size  Small
  
• Tuition $30,000—$35,000 Semester
  
• Affiliation Public
  
• Type of School College
  
• Student Body Gender Co-ed
  
• Religious Affiliation No Affiliation
  
• Scholarships for International Students Yes
  
• Conditional Admission Available Yes
  
• Top Programs Business, Computer Science, Hospitality and Tourism
  
• Setting City
  
• Accreditation and Certification SACS, ACBSP
  
• Type of Housing Residence Hall
  
• Test Scores TOEFL: 80 +, IELTS: Band 6.5 +, iTEP: 3.4
  
• Social Media

Achieve & Enjoy

At the College of Charleston (CofC), we feel strongly that diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are integral parts of a liberal arts education. We attract international students from all over the world and offer a lively mix of cultural exchange both in and out of the classroom.

You'll study in the heart of one of the most historic cities in the United States, and one that — because it is located in a major East Coast seaport — has a decidedly European and cosmopolitan feel.  Charleston, South Carolina was ranked the #1 City in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure magazine.

“Charleston is an amazing place to live as it is very small and extremely beautiful. People at the College of Charleston were very welcoming and I was able to adapt to the new living environment very easily. I can’t imagine myself going to any other school after having such a positive experience here.”
- Kelly Ann Arrindell, Trinidad and Tobago
  Exercise Science
 

Welcoming International Students

The College of Charleston has a long tradition of welcoming international students to our campus and community.  Students from all over the world call the College of Charleston their home away from home. 

Currently, we have over 140 students from 34 different countries who study at the College of Charleston to complete a degree or as part of an exchange program. Our international students study a wide range of subjects including Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, History, International Business, Music, Political Science, and Psychology.

Embodying Diversity

The College of Charleston students embody the concept of diversity.

• The Global Generation. Some come from right down the road, and others travel around the world to get here.  And their pursuits tend to be a mash-up of wildly divergent interests.
   
• Thirst for Innovation. They’ve already begun to follow their passions, but they’re open to new ideas.
   
• Hands-On. In order to be competitive, they do internships, volunteer, conduct research and obtain campus employment.
   
• High Achievers. They take advantage of the extraordinary choices they have in what to study, learn and explore. Some are in the Honors College; 85% of them will complete graduate and professional schools such as Harvard Medical School, Yale Law School and The Graduate School of Duke University.

The College of Charleston was selected as one of just 50 schools focused on providing students with practical experiences that take their academics to the next level, with, according to the guide, “tons of opportunities to gain the authentic, real-world experience they need to launch great careers.”  - ‘Colleges That Create Futures’, The Princeton Review

CofC At a Glance

• 10,375 undergraduate students
• 59 majors
• 15:1 student/faculty ratio
• 51 U.S. states and territories represented
• 62 countries represented
• Alumni chapters in Beijing, Hong Kong and London
• 343 clubs and organizations on campus (20+ with an international focus)
• 19 varsity sports teams
• 30 intramural sports
• 25 sport clubs

Tuition and Scholarships

“One of the best educational values in the nation.” – Forbes Magazine

The College of Charleston is a state-affiliated institution, which means tuition rates differ for resident vs. non-resident students. While our academic fees are less than those of many other institutions in the state and across the nation, we recognize that the cost of attending college in the US is a significant expense in the family budget.

College of Charleston cannot offer international students need-based financial aid. However, we do review every international application for tuition award scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to international students who have exceptional academic records.

How to Apply

International students follow the same application process as domestic students, with a few additional requirements.  You must be accepted to the College of Charleston in order to be issued an I-20. An I-20 is the immigration document required for students who need an F-1 student visa to study in the United States.

Once all required documents have been received, an I-20 will be sent to you from the Center for International Education. Please allow 3-5 weeks for the creation and mailing of your I-20. After receiving your I-20, you will be able to apply for an F-1 student visa.