Coastal Carolina vs. Carson-Newman University

Comparable Facts

Compare Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC with Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Coastal Carolina University is larger than Carson-Newman University based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 2,669 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); Carson Newman University is in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting).
• Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; Carson Newman University 12:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. Carson-Newman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson-Newman University ($14,379 vs. $20,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carson Newman University are 2.8% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($11,800 vs. $12,146).
• Carson Newman University is 198.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $23,060 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Carson-Newman University than at Coastal Carolina University (about $5,072 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at Coastal Carolina University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman University students is 178.5% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($28,090 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. Carson-Newman University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coastal Carolina or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson-Newman University and Coastal Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at Carson-Newman University (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; Carson Newman University 955/1215.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; Carson Newman University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; Carson-Newman University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Carson-Newman University (3.6).
• Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 16.8% at Carson-Newman University.

Coastal Carolina vs. Carson-Newman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and Carson-Newman University? 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).

• Coastal Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Carson Newman University's (45%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Carson-Newman University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carson Newman University graduates have a $1,050 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($23,880 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Carson-Newman University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($246 vs. $257).
• More Carson-Newman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.