Coastal Carolina vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

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

Coastal Carolina University is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University ($14,379 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 25.9% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($9,000 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $580 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Coastal Carolina than at South Carolina State University (about $7,878 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at Coastal Carolina University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($11,579 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 210 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

Coastal Carolina vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $8,275 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($24,930 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($257 vs. $343).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 27%)

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.