America's 13th-oldest university, founded 1770, blending 250+ years of historic excellence with modern innovation in Charleston.
The College of Charleston comprises eight academic schools: Arts, Business, Education, Engineering/Computing/Mathematics, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Languages/Cultures/World Affairs, and Natural and Environmental Sciences, plus an Honors College and Graduate School. Students choose from approximately 150 undergraduate majors and minors, 20 master's degree programs, and nine graduate-level certificate programs. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, faculty-mentored research, and real-world connections through internships and community partnerships. The College is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and offers study abroad opportunities on six continents.
The main campus in downtown Charleston spans 80 acres with 156 buildings—a mix of historic and modern structures built between 1770 and 2015. Additional facilities include the Grice Marine Lab on James Island, the J. Stewart Walker Sailing Center in Mount Pleasant, and the 881-acre Stono Preserve. The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History houses over 30,000 vertebrate and invertebrate fossils. Student life includes more than 240 clubs and organizations, 24 fraternities and sororities (active for 120 years), and NCAA Division I athletics. The historic campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.
The College offers campus walking tours (90 minutes, student-led), school and departmental visit sessions, and self-guided tour options. Prospective students can meet with admission counselors to discuss the application process, academic programs, and scholarship opportunities. The College welcomes transfer students and international applicants. Admitted students receive information about housing, dining, and the First-Year Experience program.
The College is ranked #8 regionally by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), #294 nationally by Forbes, and #302 among Master's Universities by Washington Monthly. Alumni work at major companies including Google, Boeing, The Weather Channel, and the South Carolina Ports Authority. The College emphasizes career preparation through the Career Center, internship opportunities with regional employers (Google, Boeing, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo), and microcredentials in emerging fields.