CofC vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

CofC vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC or Coastal Carolina? 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 CofC ($14,379 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 15.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,146 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $1,338 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at CofC than at Coastal Carolina University (about $8,668 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Coastal Carolina University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 12.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($10,087 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 90 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

CofC vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $3,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($222 vs. $257).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.