Coastal Carolina Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Conway, SC
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Coastal Carolina Admission Overview
Coastal Carolina admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Coastal Carolina admitted 75.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (A-) and SAT 1050-1220 / ACT 21-26. Coastal Carolina is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Coastal Carolina is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Coastal Carolina Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Coastal Carolina University
Acceptance Rate
The Coastal Carolina acceptance rate is 75.3%. Last year, 15,828 of 21,028 applicants were admitted. That is the 18th lowest acceptance rate in South Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Coastal Carolina and can you get accepted?
Coastal Carolina is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Coastal Carolina University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Coastal Carolina GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.72Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.72
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Coastal Carolina typically have around a 3.72 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Coastal Carolina is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #11 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Coastal Carolina Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Coastal Carolina University lets first-year applicants with a weighted high school GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale apply without SAT or ACT scores. Students below that 3.5 GPA are not eligible for the test-optional plan and should send scores, plus an essay, a recommendation, and a resume. Homeschooled students and applicants to the 1+2+1 Nursing program with Horry Georgetown Technical College must submit SAT or ACT scores. Test-optional applicants remain eligible for the HTC Honors College and Coastal merit awards.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.coastal.edu/admissions/testopt/
Coastal Carolina SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1050-1220Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
23%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 530
- Math 520
- Composite 1050
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 600
- Composite 1220
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Coastal Carolina typically score around a 1140 SAT (middle 50% 1050–1220) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 66th percentile nationally. Coastal Carolina ranks #9 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1050 to 1220
SAT policy
Coastal Carolina is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1140 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Coastal Carolina ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
21-26Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
8%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 18
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 25
- Math 25
- Composite 26
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Coastal Carolina typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 21–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Coastal Carolina places #11 among colleges in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 26
ACT policy
You may apply to Coastal Carolina without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
75% of Coastal Carolina University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 37% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Coastal Carolina chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Coastal Carolina University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Coastal Carolina University is $45.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Coastal Carolina is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 75.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1050-1220); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Coastal Carolina University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218724.
GPA calculator: Coastal Carolina University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026