Coker University
Coker University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Coker University Worth It?
At a value score of 19/100, Coker University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,117 — 25% below average — while paying $20,286/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $26,000 representing 65% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Coker University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Coker University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in SC
Ranked #56 of 95 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 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Aquinas College | 48 | $16,626 | $49,584 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #56 | Coker University | 19 | $20,286 | $40,117 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Coker University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in SC.
Best Programs at Coker University
The highest-earning program at Coker University is Business/Commerce, General at $30,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminology at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Commerce, General graduate from Coker University earns $30,900, while a Criminology graduate earns $21,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Commerce, General graduates carry $28,500 in median debt vs. $32,310 for Criminology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,286/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $28,500 |
| Criminology | $21,600 | $21,600 | $32,310 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hartsville, SC
- Student Body
- 840 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,286
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,117
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000