Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Coastal Carolina University at a Glance
Coastal Carolina University is a public university in Conway, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College, and later joining the University of South Carolina System as USC Coastal Carolina, it became an independent university in 1993.
1954
72 years old
$76M
$76.2 million (2024)
11,881
10,306 undergrad · 523 grad
514
630 acres
Identity
Is Coastal Carolina University Worth It?
Coastal Carolina University offers moderate value at $13,966/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,258, which is 12% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $23,750 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Coastal Carolina University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #72 of 127 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #72 | Coastal Carolina University | 42 | $13,966 | $47,258 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Coastal Carolina University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at Coastal Carolina University
The highest-earning program at Coastal Carolina University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Coastal Carolina University earns $59,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,102 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,966/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,600 | $59,600 | $17,102 |
| Information Science/Studies | $45,700 | $45,700 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,200 | $40,200 | $24,418 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,800 | $35,800 | $26,146 |
| Marketing | $34,400 | $34,400 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,900 | $32,900 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,600 | $32,600 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,200 | $30,200 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $28,900 | $28,900 | $25,000 |
| Public Health | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,300 | $28,300 | $26,000 |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $25,700 | $25,700 | $23,803 |
| Psychology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $26,000 |
| History | $24,700 | $24,700 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,000 | $24,000 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,800 | $23,800 | $25,945 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $21,400 | $21,400 | $26,000 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $21,300 | $21,300 | $25,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $19,700 | $19,700 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,600 | $18,600 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Conway, SC
- Student Body
- 10,377 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,966
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,258
- Median Student Debt
- $23,750