Coastal Carolina vs. University of Charleston

Deciding between Coastal Carolina University and University of Charleston? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Coastal Carolina University
University of Charleston

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Coastal Carolina Conway, SC
  • University of Charleston Charleston, WV
  • Setting
  • Coastal Carolina Small City
  • University of Charleston Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Coastal Carolina 11,348
  • University of Charleston 3,062
  • Type
  • Coastal Carolina Public 4 Year
  • University of Charleston Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Coastal Carolina #808
  • University of Charleston #707
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Coastal Carolina -
  • University of Charleston -
  • Status
  • Coastal Carolina Non-profit
  • University of Charleston Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Coastal Carolina
  • University of Charleston
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Coastal Carolina $11,640
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Coastal Carolina $29,628
  • University of Charleston $33,800
  • Room & Board
  • Coastal Carolina $12,146
  • University of Charleston $12,280
  • Average Net Price
  • Coastal Carolina $14,379
  • University of Charleston $20,844
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Coastal Carolina $10,087
  • University of Charleston $26,132
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Coastal Carolina 94%
  • University of Charleston 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Coastal Carolina 21,028
  • University of Charleston 2,573
  • Admitted
  • Coastal Carolina 15,828
  • University of Charleston 1,583
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Coastal Carolina 75.3%
  • University of Charleston 61.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Coastal Carolina 16.9%
  • University of Charleston 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Coastal Carolina 1140
  • University of Charleston 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Coastal Carolina 23
  • University of Charleston 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Coastal Carolina 3.72
  • University of Charleston 3.13
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Coastal Carolina A-
  • University of Charleston B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Coastal Carolina Moderate
  • University of Charleston Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Coastal Carolina
  • University of Charleston Low
  • ACT Range
  • Coastal Carolina 21/26
  • University of Charleston 19/23
  • SAT Range
  • Coastal Carolina 1050/1220
  • University of Charleston 985/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Coastal Carolina Test optional
  • University of Charleston Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Coastal Carolina
  • University of Charleston
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Coastal Carolina 17:1
  • University of Charleston 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Coastal Carolina
    • Business (30%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • University of Charleston
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Business (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Coastal Carolina 46%
  • University of Charleston 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Coastal Carolina $42,200
  • University of Charleston $45,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Coastal Carolina 54%
  • University of Charleston 58%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Coastal Carolina $24,930
  • University of Charleston $20,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Coastal Carolina $257
  • University of Charleston $211
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Coastal Carolina 44%
  • University of Charleston 61%
  • % Women
  • Coastal Carolina 56%
  • University of Charleston 39%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Coastal Carolina Medium
  • University of Charleston Low
  • HBCU
  • Coastal Carolina No
  • University of Charleston No
  • % White
  • Coastal Carolina 68%
  • University of Charleston 58%
  • % Asian
  • Coastal Carolina 1%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Black
  • Coastal Carolina 20%
  • University of Charleston 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • Coastal Carolina 4%
  • University of Charleston 2%
  • % Native American
  • Coastal Carolina 0%
  • University of Charleston 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Coastal Carolina 0%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Coastal Carolina 5%
  • University of Charleston 0%
  • % International
  • Coastal Carolina 1%
  • University of Charleston 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Coastal Carolina 0%
  • University of Charleston 22%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Coastal Carolina 32%
  • University of Charleston 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Coastal Carolina 67%
  • University of Charleston 33%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Coastal Carolina Yes
  • University of Charleston Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Coastal Carolina No
  • University of Charleston No
  • Meal Plan
  • Coastal Carolina Yes
  • University of Charleston Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Coastal Carolina No
  • University of Charleston No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Coastal Carolina No
  • University of Charleston No
  • Learn More
  • Coastal Carolina Details
  • University of Charleston Details

Comparable Facts

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

Coastal Carolina University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
  • Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($14,379 vs. $20,844).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 1.1% lower than at University of Charleston ($12,146 vs. $12,280).
  • University of Charleston is 190.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $22,160 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $11,640.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at University of Charleston than at Coastal Carolina University (about $4,172 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $29,628.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at Coastal Carolina University (97% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 159.1% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($26,132 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coastal Carolina or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and Coastal Carolina.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 70 points higher than at University of Charleston (1070).
  • Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Charleston).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; University of Charleston 985/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; University of Charleston 19/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
  • Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

Coastal Carolina vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and University of Charleston? 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).

  • University of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
  • Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $4,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,930).
  • Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($211 vs. $257).
  • More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.