Coastal Carolina vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or UTC? 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 UTC ($14,379 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 3.6% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,146 vs. $12,604).
• Coastal Carolina University is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $1,192 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60% higher at Coastal Carolina than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $11,116 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,087 vs. $10,038).

Coastal Carolina vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coastal Carolina or UTC? 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 UTC and Coastal Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 30 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Coastal Carolina vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $4,138 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($20,792 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($214 vs. $257).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.