Fitchburg State vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Coastal Carolina University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State ($14,379 vs. $15,340).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 21.4% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($12,146 vs. $15,452).
• Coastal Carolina University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $294 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Fitchburg State University (about $12,202 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Fitchburg State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($11,539 vs. $10,087).

Fitchburg State vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCoastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Fitchburg State vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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).

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $2,245 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($22,685 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($234 vs. $257).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.