We show that if $G\times M \to M$ is a cohomogeneity one action of a compact connected Lie group $G$ on a compact connected manifold $M$ then $H^*_G(M)$ is a Cohen-Macaulay module over $H^*(BG)$. Moreover, this module is free if and only if the rank of at least one isotropy group is equal to the rank of $G$. We deduce as corollaries several results concerning the usual (de Rham) cohomology of $M$, such as the following obstruction to the existence of a cohomogeneity one action: if $M$ admits a cohomogeneity one action, then $\chi(M)>0$ if and only if $H^{ \rm odd}(M)=\{ 0\}$.
Categories: math.DG math.AT