The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770 and rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, the College of Charleston is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.
Students from 50 U.S. states and territories and 60 countries choose the College of Charleston for its small-college feel blended with the advantages and diversity of an urban, mid-sized university. The College of Charleston provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged by a committed and caring faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars, all in an incomparable setting.
The City of Charleston – world-renowned for its history, culture, architecture and coastal environment – serves our approximately 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students as a living and learning laboratory for experiences in business, science, teaching, the humanities, languages and the arts. At the same time, students and faculty are engaged with the community in partnerships to improve education, enhance the business environment and enrich the overall quality of life in the region.
In spring 2020, the College of Charleston launched a 10-year strategic plan, Tradition & Transformation, in order to continue to grow and innovate. The plan articulates a vision for the College of Charleston to become a national university by way of three pillars of focus: 1. Student Success; 2. Academic Distinction; and 3. Employee Success.
Since 2020, the College of Charleston has reached several milestones: record applications, record class sizes, record philanthropy levels and reclassification within the state higher education system as a professional doctorate university, allowing the College of Charleston to offer specific doctoral programs. During that time, the College of Charleston has introduced new academic programming that addresses industry and regional needs, especially as it relates to workforce demands in the state. These programs include engineering degrees, a major in health services administration and management and three new doctoral programs: a Ph.D. in mathematics with computation, an Ed.D. in learning and inquiry in practice and a D.B.A. (business administration).
A History of Making History
As the oldest institution of higher education in South Carolina and the 13th oldest in the U.S., the College of Charleston is renowned for producing alumni that impact the world. From a famed explorer of the American West (John C. Frémont, Class of 1836) to the judge who helped set the Civil Rights Movement in motion (J. Waites Waring, Class of 1900), College of Charleston alumni have become leaders and change-makers in whatever field they choose, winning GRAMMYs and Academy Awards or patent awards and U.S. Supreme Court cases. The university prides itself on preparing students to pursue whatever dreams they have and providing them the tools and skills to succeed in that pursuit.
A Rank Above
Through a range of well-regarded rankings, the College of Charleston is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, student support and global engagement. It has earned high honors for its commitment to veterans, innovation, undergraduate teaching and overall value. The university’s career services are widely regarded for effectively preparing students for post-graduate success. The university is also designated as a Green College, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. It consistently ranks as a top-producing institution for Fulbright scholars and is among the national leaders in study-abroad participation. Additionally, the university was cited for having the most beautiful campus in the country. The College of Charleston’s academic programs in business, computer science, psychology and public affairs have been singled out for excellence by national evaluators.
Generations of Innovation
The College of Charleston sits at the center of “Silicon Harbor” (Charleston’s nickname for its booming tech ecosystem) with a growing portfolio of innovative programming aimed at positioning both the university and the region as leaders in tech and innovation.
The College’s Department of Computer Science and newly formed School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics offer hands-on labs, senior capstones and industry-sponsored projects, enabling students to collaborate directly with local tech leaders like Boeing, Benefit focus, Blackbaud, Bosch and Capgemini. Through new initiatives like the advanced manufacturing certificate, launched in fall 2024, the College is creatively blending liberal arts with emerging disciplines to meet regional workforce needs. All told, the College is transforming itself into a catalyst for Silicon Harbor’s growth, providing locally trained talent, fueling cross-sector innovation and anchoring Charleston’s rise as the Southeast’s next great tech hub.
The College of Charleston fully embraces the concept of innovation – from its curriculum to its everyday business practices. While the institution’s centuries-old traditions provide a strong foundation, innovation enables the College of Charleston to respond to emerging societal needs, leverage new technologies and prepare students for careers that didn’t exist a decade ago. By fostering a culture of experimentation, interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration with industry and community partners, the College of Charleston honors its legacy while leading the way forward: expanding access, deepening learning and driving solutions to global challenges.
Innovation in the Student Experience
The College of Charleston is harnessing innovation to significantly elevate the student experience through both AI and digital credentialing. One standout initiative is Clyde the Chatbot, a text-based AI assistant launched in August 2023, which proactively checks in with students every 7–10 days, answers questions 24/7 and directs users to resources in academics, financial aid, campus engagement and mental/physical health. Simultaneously, the College has partnered with Coursera’s Career Academy to allow students to earn online microcredentials in fields like data analysis, cyber security and app development, using industry-recognized certifications from IBM, Microsoft, Google and Salesforce to complement their studies and enhance career readiness. These dual innovations – AI support and flexible, brand-backed credentialing – demonstrate a forward-leaning approach to student success and holistic development.
The College of Charleston sits at the center of “Silicon Harbor” (Charleston’s nickname for its booming tech ecosystem) with a growing portfolio of innovative programming aimed at positioning both the university and the region as leaders in tech and innovation.
