Coastal Carolina University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Coastal Carolina University is a public research university in Conway, South Carolina, with about 10,377 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 75.27% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,258 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,640
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,966 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 75.27% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 10,377 96.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 48.46%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 26.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 6.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1143
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,607
- Applicants (IPEDS): 18,223
- Room & Board: $12,146 annual estimate
Coastal Carolina University: what the data shows
Common questions about Coastal Carolina University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Coastal Carolina University?
Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (ZIP 29526).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Coastal Carolina University public or private?
Coastal Carolina University is a Public institution.
How much does Coastal Carolina University cost?
Published tuition: $11,640 in-state, $29,628 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,966.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,563 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,292 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,938 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,350 |
| $110,001+ | $20,219 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $46,560.
How hard is it to get into Coastal Carolina University?
Admission rate: 75.27%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1143 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Coastal Carolina University?
Total enrollment: 10,377 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 11,607 students.
Graduate enrollment: 537 students.
About 96% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Coastal Carolina University?
150%-time completion rate: 48.46%.
First-year retention: 77.4%.
What do graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn?
Median earnings: $38,070 six years after entry; $47,258 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,750.
26.24% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Coastal Carolina University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (208 completions)
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (154 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (138 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (134 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (130 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (122 completions)
- Psychology, General (122 completions)
- Finance, General (71 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (70 completions)
- Intelligence, General (68 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Coastal Carolina University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 75.27%; completion rate 48.46%; median earnings $47,258 at 10 years; net price $13,966. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,640
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Coastal Carolina University was $11,640.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,966
2024 Value
In 2024 Coastal Carolina University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,966.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$55,864 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,966 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$46,560 4-Year In-State Tuition
$118,512 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,146 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,250 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$25,036 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$100,144 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Coastal Carolina University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
26.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
56.70% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Coastal Carolina University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Coastal Carolina University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $9,760 | $22,770 | $14,511 |
| 2014 | $10,320 | $23,660 | $14,361 |
| 2015 | $10,530 | $24,320 | $14,955 |
| 2016 | $10,876 | $25,120 | $15,111 |
| 2017 | $11,200 | $25,872 | $16,337 |
| 2018 | $11,716 | $26,828 | $16,188 |
| 2019 | $11,640 | $27,394 | $14,749 |
| 2020 | $11,640 | $27,394 | $14,129 |
| 2021 | $11,640 | $27,394 | $14,382 |
| 2022 | $11,640 | $28,490 | $12,952 |
| 2023 | $11,640 | $29,628 | $13,742 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
75.27% Acceptance Rate
18,223 Total Applicants
14,613 Students Admitted
2,775 First-Time Students Enrolled
18.99% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1143
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Coastal Carolina University reported total enrollment of about 10,377 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (73.9%), Black or African American (11.5%), and Hispanic or Latino (7.0%). About 26.24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 26.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Coastal Carolina University in 2024 is 10,377 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 11,607 students. Graduate enrollment is about 537 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
77.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 73.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
37.39% 100% Completion Time
48.46% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 37.39% of students graduating from Coastal Carolina University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 55% male / 45% female
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography: 29% male / 71% female
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 45% male / 55% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Coastal Carolina University.
Return on Investment
$23,750 Median Student Debt
$47,258 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
50.26% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
745.95% Return on Investment
5.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Coastal Carolina University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 62 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 208 completions
2. Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography: 154 completions
3. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 138 completions
4. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 134 completions
5. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 130 completions
6. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 122 completions
7. Psychology, General: 122 completions
8. Finance, General: 71 completions
9. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 70 completions
Most popular programs at Coastal Carolina University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Coastal Carolina University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Coastal Carolina University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,103
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,741
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Coastal Carolina University is a public institution located in Conway, SC, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, Marketing/Marketing Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 10,377 students. Student body composition includes White (73.9%), Black or African American (11.5%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%). The admission rate is 75.27%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1143. The 150%-time completion rate is 48.46%. Approximately 26.24% of students receive Pell Grants. About 26.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Conway, SC 29526
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 62 distinct degree programs, Coastal Carolina University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Coastal Carolina University located?
Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC.
What is Coastal Carolina University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Coastal Carolina University is 75.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 18,223 applicants and 14,613 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Coastal Carolina University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,640 and average net price is $13,966 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,146 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Coastal Carolina University?
Coastal Carolina University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 11,607 students, White (73.9%), Black or African American (11.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Coastal Carolina University?
About 26.6% of students at Coastal Carolina University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Coastal Carolina University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Coastal Carolina University reports midpoint SAT about 1143 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn?
Median earnings are $38,070 six years after entry and $47,258 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Coastal Carolina University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 48.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Coastal Carolina University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,750.
Is Coastal Carolina University public or private?
Coastal Carolina University is a public institution located in Conway, SC.
Is Coastal Carolina University an HBCU?
No. Coastal Carolina University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Coastal Carolina University a tribal college?
No. Coastal Carolina University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.