NDSU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Dakota State University Main Campus is located in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

NDSU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NDSU 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 NDSU ($14,379 vs. $15,596).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 18.3% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($9,928 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NDSU (about $530 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $11,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.9% higher at Coastal Carolina than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $13,864 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $15,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (94% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 57.4% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($10,087 vs. $6,409).

NDSU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NDSU 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 NDSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NDSU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at NDSU (3.53).
• NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32% at NDSU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

NDSU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NDSU 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).

• North Dakota State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates have a $1,630 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($23,300 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, NDSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $257).
• More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.