Coastal Carolina vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

Coastal Carolina University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Coastal Carolina vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate than Coastal Carolina ($13,999 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 13.3% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($10,533 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $52 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.3% higher at Coastal Carolina than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $6,538 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Coastal Carolina University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 6.3% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($10,719 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 1.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Coastal Carolina vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $2,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($232 vs. $257).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.