Coastal Carolina University
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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, Communications, Psychology
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 — 19% 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
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 keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 75% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,143. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 50%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Coastal Carolina University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $29,628 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,966 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $23,750.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Coastal Carolina University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Coastal Carolina University's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
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 keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 75% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,143. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Coastal Carolina University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Coastal Carolina University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $29,628 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,966 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,563 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $23,750.
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 national averages for 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.26 (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.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Coastal Carolina University.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.26 (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