University of South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina

Should I go to University of South Alabama or Coastal Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or Coastal Carolina is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina University comparison
University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina University College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina University
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Overview

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Location Mobile, AL Conway, SC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,438 10,337
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #684 #821
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu coastal.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Tuition (In State) $8,616 $11,460
Tuition (Out of State) $17,232 $28,310
Room & Board $8,510 $10,628
Avg Net Price $15,664 $14,016
Avg Grant Aid $7,686 $10,610
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 88%

Admission

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,550 17,161
Admitted 8,203 13,493
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 78.6%
Enrolled % 19.7% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 20/25
SAT Range 1003/1200 1020/1190
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Graduation Rate 39% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $24,930
Median Loan Payment $253 $257

Diversity

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
% Men 32% 45%
% Women 68% 55%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 68%
% Black 24% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
% In-State 73% 31%
% Out-of-State 25% 68%

Campus

University of South Alabama Coastal Carolina
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 10,337 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Coastal Carolina?

  • Coastal Carolina University is 33% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($11,460.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.3% higher at Coastal Carolina than University of South Alabama ($28,310.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Coastal Carolina University than University of South Alabama ($14,016 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 24.9% lower than costs at Coastal Carolina University ($8,510 vs. $10,628)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than Coastal Carolina University (94% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 38% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($10,610 vs. $7,686)

University of South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or Coastal Carolina? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Coastal Carolina or University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 36 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1009)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Coastal Carolina (22)
  • Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of South Alabama (3.69)
  • Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

University of South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Coastal Carolina? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Coastal Carolina and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Coastal Carolina is higher than University of South Alabama (46% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $3,000 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $42,200)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $430 lower median federal student loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates. ($24,500 vs. $24,930)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Coastal Carolina graduates. ($253 vs. $257)
  • More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/