PC vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC 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 PC based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Presbyterian College 11:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

PC vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC 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 PC ($14,379 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 10.6% lower than at Presbyterian College ($12,146 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 285.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $33,270 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.6% higher at PC than at Coastal Carolina University (about $15,282 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at Coastal Carolina University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 290.1% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($39,345 vs. $10,087).

PC vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC 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 PC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming PC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Coastal Carolina (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 980/1200; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 21/26; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PC - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at PC (3.6).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

PC vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PC 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $1,178 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($24,930 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($257 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.