Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
College of Charleston reports a middle 50% SAT of 1160 to 1300 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1220; 19% submitted SAT). We use 1230 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1160 to 1300 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1220; 19% submitted SAT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 23 to 29 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.0% (fall 2025, 32,326 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional |
| Type | Public university |
Source: College of Charleston official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only 19% of College of Charleston's enrollees submitted an SAT score, the lowest share in the state.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 1250 to 1400 | 42.4% |
| University of South Carolina | 1200 to 1360 | 56.5% |
| College of Charleston | 1160 to 1300 | 73.0% |
| The Citadel | 1010 to 1220 | 28.5% |
| Coastal Carolina University | 1060 to 1210 | 70.0% |
| Winthrop University | 1020 to 1210 | About 82% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for South Carolina Colleges.
South Carolina's Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships pay real money tied directly to SAT cutoffs.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: SAT 1200. Up to $6,700 in year 1 and $7,500 in years 2-4 with a 3.50 SC UGP GPA and top 6% class rank (or 1400 SAT / 4.00 GPA with no rank needed).
LIFE Scholarship: SAT 1100. Up to $5,000 a year (up to $4,700 tuition plus $300 book allowance) by meeting any 2 of 3: 1100 SAT, 3.0 SC UGP GPA, or top 30% class rank.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our South Carolina SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| The College of New Jersey | New Jersey | 1140 to 1320 |
| Michigan Technological University | Michigan | 1120 to 1330 |
| University of Arizona | Arizona | 1130 to 1340 |
| University of Houston | Texas | 1140 to 1310 |
A score that is competitive at College of Charleston lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the South Carolina colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1160 to 1300. A score at or above 1300 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1160 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. College of Charleston lists its policy as: Test-optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
73.0% (fall 2025, 32,326 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for College of Charleston? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
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