Coastal Carolina vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or Liberty 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 Liberty University ($14,379 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 12.2% lower than at Liberty University ($12,146 vs. $13,835).
• Liberty University is 93% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $10,825 more per year; $22,465.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Liberty University (about $7,163 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Liberty University than at Coastal Carolina University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Liberty University students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($12,489 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coastal Carolina or Liberty 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 Liberty University and Coastal Carolina.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Liberty University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming Liberty University 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: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Coastal Carolina vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and Liberty 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).

• Liberty University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $764 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($24,166 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($249 vs. $257).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 36%)

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.