USC Aiken vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, 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 USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

USC Aiken vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Coastal Carolina ($12,236 vs. $14,379).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 24.4% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($9,182 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $880 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.6% higher at Coastal Carolina than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $8,410 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 13.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($10,087 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken 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 USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 40 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

USC Aiken vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken 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).

• Coastal Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Coastal Carolina University graduates have a $1,070 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($24,930 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Coastal Carolina graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($257 vs. $268).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.