UofSC vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia 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 Columbia 19:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

UofSC vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC 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 UofSC ($14,379 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 10.3% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,146 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $1,048 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at UofSC than at Coastal Carolina University (about $6,344 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 41.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($10,087 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC 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 UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 130 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

UofSC vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC 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).

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $1,680 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $257).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.