AU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Coastal Carolina University is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

AU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Coastal Carolina? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Coastal Carolina University than AU ($14,379 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 4.5% lower than at Anderson University ($12,146 vs. $12,720).
• Anderson University is 200.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $23,330 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at AU than at Coastal Carolina University (about $5,342 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at Coastal Carolina University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 157.5% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($25,969 vs. $10,087).

AU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Coastal Carolina? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Coastal Carolina and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 50 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AU students have the same average high school GPA (3.72) as students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

AU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Coastal Carolina? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $1,932 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($24,930 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($257 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.