KSU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 11,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kennesaw State University is located in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Kennesaw 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: Kennesaw State University 23:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

KSU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KSU 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 KSU ($14,379 vs. $15,636).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 8.6% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($12,146 vs. $13,287).
• Coastal Carolina University is 100.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $5,832 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $5,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Kennesaw State University (about $11,892 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Kennesaw State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($10,087 vs. $8,223).

KSU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KSU or Coastal Carolina? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Coastal Carolina and KSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 30 points higher than at KSU (1110).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at KSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kennesaw State University 1000/1220; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kennesaw State University 19/26; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KSU - Required; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KSU Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at KSU (3.33).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than KSU (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at KSU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

KSU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KSU and Coastal Carolina? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Coastal Carolina University's six-year graduation rate is 46%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for KSU.
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University have median earnings of about $42,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for KSU.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $3,730 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($219 vs. $257).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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.