Coastal Carolina University
#3 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,258 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,966 C+
- 18% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Online Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,188,596.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $22.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Coastal Carolina University Matters
Coastal Carolina University is a public university in Conway, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 10,377
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Coastal Carolina University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1050–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,966 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,258 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $23,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 74% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.26 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 10,377 students, Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, is a solid choice for those looking for a supportive academic environment. The acceptance rate of 75% indicates that the school is accessible to a broad range of students. Here, you’ll find strong programs in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Psychology, and Education. This variety allows students to explore different fields while building a solid educational foundation.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $47,258 within ten years of completing their degree. This is a reasonable figure that reflects the practical skills learned during their studies. While the graduation rate stands at 50%, it’s important to note that many students find their footing and move up after leaving college. The affordability of Coastal Carolina is another plus; the net price after aid is $13,966, which makes it an attractive option for many families.
When it comes to financials, students typically graduate with a median debt of $23,750. That’s a manageable amount compared to many other institutions, especially given the average earnings potential. The mix of students here tends to thrive in a collaborative atmosphere, and those who are motivated and engaged often find success—both academically and professionally. This community-oriented vibe can make a big difference in your college experience and future career.
Rankings
- #3 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #6 Best Colleges in South Carolina
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #6 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #6 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #6 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
- #11 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Coastal Carolina University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Coastal Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Conway, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,143. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1143
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1050–1220
- ACT Range
- 21–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,103
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 17,161
- Admitted
- 13,493
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Coastal Carolina University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 17% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 17%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 23%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 8%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 77.1%
- vs 75.3% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 380 Early Decision applicants, 293 were admitted — a 77.1% admit rate, roughly 1.0× the 75.3% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 11% of the entering class (293 of 2,677 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 31% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Coastal Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Coastal Carolina University is $29,628, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,966. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,640
- Out-of-State
- $29,628
- Avg Net Price
- $13,966
- Median Debt
- $23,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 57%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,563
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,292
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,938
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,219
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Coastal Carolina University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Coastal Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $47,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,070
- 8 Years
- $44,747
- 10 Years
- $47,258
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (746)
- 32%
- 100% (746)
- 32%
- 100% (746)
- 32%
- 100% (746)
- 32%
How Coastal Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Coastal Carolina University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Coastal Carolina University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,966/year ($55,864 total). Graduates earn $47,258 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,244,460 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,188,596 (22.3× your investment). The median debt is $23,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $55,864
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,244,460
- Net Return
- $1,188,596
- ROI Multiple
- 22.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,966
- Median Debt
- $23,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Coastal Carolina University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Coastal Carolina University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.04%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.04%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,316
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,384,487
- Investment Income
- $-5,371,959
Top Programs
The fields Coastal Carolina University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 27% $48,083 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $31,159 early-career
- Psychology 8% $31,062 early-career
- Communications 6% $37,078 early-career
- Education 5% $40,390 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $29,384 early-career
- Health Professions 4% $78,124 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $41,235 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Coastal Carolina University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Coastal Carolina University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Conway, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,143. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Coastal Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Coastal Carolina University is $29,628, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,966. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,750 in federal student loans.
Is Coastal Carolina University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $47,258, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Coastal Carolina University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Coastal Carolina University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.04%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Coastal Carolina University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Coastal Carolina University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Coastal Carolina University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Coastal Carolina University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 77%, about 1.0 times the overall 75% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 11% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Coastal Carolina University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Coastal Carolina University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 31% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Coastal Carolina University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Coastal Carolina University?
About 17% of admitted students choose to enroll at Coastal Carolina University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Coastal Carolina University.
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH · Close peer50% grad $46,600 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · Close peer60% grad $49,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of MemphisMemphis, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,458 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Close peer46% grad $51,793 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Coastal Carolina University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Coastal Carolina University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note