Bachelor's · Charleston, South Carolina

Is Historic Preservation and Conservation at College of Charleston worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 5.3 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating: $36,735; Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating: $61,907; Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation: Not enough borrowers to report; NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families: $77k (likely $77k – $82k); AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4: $26k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in SC; 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback: 5.3 years (likely 3.9–7.8); Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return: −$8k (likely −$107k – $103k); Today's dollars
20-year net return: $317k (likely $104k – $579k); Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide): 65%; Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Historic Preservation and Conservation at other schools

🔭 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward math & physical science majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Chemistry

IB Higher Level

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Physics HL or Chemistry HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.