Coastal Carolina vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Coastal Carolina vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or VCU? 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 VCU ($14,379 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 33.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,146 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 45.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $5,305 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at VCU than at Coastal Carolina University (about $10,481 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 40.6% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($14,186 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is the same as at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Coastal Carolina vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and VCU? 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,680 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $257).
• More VCU 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.