Keeping College Affordable

As the cost of college continues to rise, ACBA has continued to demonstrate that costs incurred upon students can be kept down while still providing a robust and wholly unique college experience. As a private nonprofit college, ACBA does not receive state funding and does not charge different rates for in-state or out-of-state students (as state colleges like Clemson do in the chart below). Additionally, our most recent financial audit shows that 89¢ of every dollar brought in goes directly to support our Mission.

Below is a comparison of ACBA's tuition versus a sampling of South Carolina public and private colleges and also Charleston area High Schools. For a further breakdown of any costs, please view the sidebar.

Interest-Free Tuition Payments

Many families are unable to make an entire semester's tuition payment at the outset of the semester, yet also want to avoid student loans. Knowing this, ACBA allows students and their families to spread their tuition payment over as much as a 12-month period without incurring interest.

Financial Aid

ACBA is approved for the Title IV program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Title IV is the U.S. DOE federal student loan program using the FAFSA to administer both federal grants and loans. This financial aid is available to all students who qualify.

Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward obtaining financial aid. Once complete, students and their families will receive their EFC and should then contact ACBA’s Financial Aid Office at finaid@acba.edu, to proceed to the next step. The next step for students who are seeking federal financial is to complete the student registration with our virtual financial office.

Scholarships

Through the generosity of its donors, ACBA offers more than $250,000 annually in scholarships for qualified students. These scholarships are available only to ACBA students.

Most scholarships at ACBA have been designed for students with demonstrated financial need. Financial need is determined by the Office of Financial Aid based upon each student's EFC results. ACBA's receipt of each student's EFC will automatically enter them into the pool of available scholarships. No additional application is required.

Part-time Students

Part-time students are defined as those enrolled in fewer than 12 semester credit hours. Because most semesters at ACBA involve more than 15 semester credit hours, this is atypical, but can happen for students who enroll with a substantial amount of transfer credits.

Part-time students are billed on a per-credit hour basis with any applicable fees added on if the student is enrolled in their craft specialization course or certain electives that have enrollment fees (these are always disclosed to students prior to enrollment).

Part-time status impacts eligibility for Title IV programs and may limit the amount that students receive under a number of programs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A “satisfactory” status means a student has met the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements to continue receiving financial aid.

Students must meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement according to the number of credit hours that have been attempted.

Students must be on track to complete their undergraduate degree in fewer than 189 credit hours and have earned at least 67 percent of the credit hours attempted in the previous semester.

SAP is reviewed at the end of every academic year.

Warning Status

In the first semester you do not meet SAP standards, you are assigned a “warning” status. Students will still remain eligible for financial aid during their “warning” semester. If you do not meet the SAP requirements at the end of your “warning semester” that student may lose eligibility for financial aid in future semesters unless they successfully appeal. Students have the right to appeal this decision.

Contact Us

Financial Aid Advisor, Morgan Kinder

finaid@acba.edu
Phone: 843-577-5245

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Office of Financial Aid
649 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403

2026-27 Tuition and Fees

Tuition:  $10,184 per semester

Institutional Fees: $835 per semester

Enrollment Fee: $300 (applied to tuition statement)

Application Fee: $50

Electives Fee: $150 (materials fee per elective)

Graduation Fee: $100, Late Graduation Application Fee: $25

Official Transcripts: $10 per copy

Part-Time Tuition: $828 per credit hour

Estimated Additional Costs

Tools make up the most significant additional cost for students. Most of the tool costs are incurred during the first semester of the first year and costs vary by craft specialization.

Students are given a set of tools during orientation with the costs, by craft specialization, outlined below. ACBA purchases tools for the students in bulk to receive the lowest cost possible. The drafting supplies are purchased by the students at a local store that puts together a kit of all professor required materials.

The following costs are estimates. Final amounts will be provided on your first bill prior to the start of classes.

Blacksmithing Books & Tools: $475

Architectural Stone Carving Books & Tools: $150

Plaster Books & Tools: $250

Wood Books & Tools: $1075

Classical Architecture & Design Studio Fees: $185

The College may adjust tuition and fee rates from time to time. Any adjustments will apply only to future academic years and will not increase charges for the current semester or year once a student is enrolled. Students will receive reasonable advance notice of any changes.

Additional Information