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Coastal Carolina University

Conway , SC

Coastal Carolina University (CCU), located in Conway, South Carolina, is a public university known for its vibrant campus community and strong academic programs. With its picturesque location just a few miles from the beautiful beaches of Myrtle Beach, CCU offers students a unique blend of academic excellence and the opportunity to enjoy a coastal lifestyle. The university is committed to providing students with a personalized learning experience, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines.

At CCU, students can choose from more than 70 fields of study, including popular programs in business, marine science, education, communication, and health sciences. The university emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging students to engage in research, internships, and service-learning opportunities that help them gain practical skills and real-world experience. The dedicated faculty at CCU are experts in their fields and are committed to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to its strong academic programs, Coastal Carolina University boasts an active campus life, providing students with numerous opportunities to get involved and make lasting connections. The university offers a wide range of student organizations, including clubs, honor societies, recreational sports teams, and cultural groups, allowing students to pursue their interests and passions. CCU is also known for its vibrant social scene, with various campus events and activities throughout the year, including concerts, comedy shows, and sports competitions. With its combination of academic excellence, coastal location, and vibrant campus community, Coastal Carolina University offers students a truly enriching and fulfilling college experience.

Coastal Carolina University is a public university located in Conway, SC and set in a suburban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at Coastal Carolina University is 77.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 48%.

The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. Here are some essential information on important things to consider about Coastal Carolina University.

Quick Facts

10,811

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

17:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

48%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most relevant data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Coastal Carolina University.

According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 15,828 in 2025. Coastal Carolina University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.

Test Scores

Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 23% and ACT scores 8%. 1.5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 28.8% between 1,200 and 1,399, 62.4% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 7.4% between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6.3, 41.6 between 24-29, 50.7 in the range between 18-23, and 1.4 between 12-17.

The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 24 and the average GPA was 3.8. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Coastal Carolina University; the same goes for your ACT score.

The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 579 and an average SAT Math score of 563.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

Be sure to apply to this school by February 1.

Retention Rate

The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.

As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Coastal Carolina University was 77.4%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.

The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 48%.

Student Body

Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.

Main Student Body

In 2025, the school enrolled 11,348 students.

That year, the school had 62.1% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 10,811, 91 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 711 transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

The student body is coeducational, with 4,500 male and 5,719 female full-time students in 2025. There were 70 full-time graduate male and 78 full-time graduate female students at this school.

Student Population Diversity

When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.

This school had 108 Asian students and 1,198 Afro-American students in 2025. 727 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 437 as multirace. The school also had 7 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 31 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 109 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.

Tuition and Fees

If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Coastal Carolina University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.

According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $11,640 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $29,926. Tuition costs at Coastal Carolina University for international students stood at $29,926. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $180 in 2025.

Category Tuition Fees Total
Out-of-State $29,926 $180 $30,106
In-State $11,640 $180 $11,820

Books and Supplies

When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,294.

Boarding

Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for room and board?

At Coastal Carolina University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $13,330. If you only wanted a dormitory room, you had to pay $7,830 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $7,790.

Tuition $ 11,640
Room and Board $ 13,330
Book and Supplies $ 1,294
Total Expense $ 26,264

Financial Aid

There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Coastal Carolina University, here are some recent data you should consider.

The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,806 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,199.88.

Need-based

Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.

There were 5,610 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 5,741. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $15,593,248, and state $10,327,316. The students of Coastal Carolina University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $21,289,847, and external in the amount of $1,709,968.

$6,498

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

645 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. 234 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $15,593,248 while the state aid is $13,416. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $15,060,049. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,723,889 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).

Majors

Faculty

17:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Coastal Carolina University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 855 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 399 male and 456 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Coastal Carolina University.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100
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100

Campus Life

It is not all about learning and grades at Coastal Carolina University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Coastal Carolina University.

Its campus is 621 acres in size.

Student Organizations

Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.

The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 192. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 3 percent of male and 6 of female students take part in in different organizations at Coastal Carolina University. The most popular student organization is American Marketing Association at Coastal Carolina, followed by Coastal Sea Turtle Club and Exercise Science Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Coastal Carolina Surf Club and Love Blue.

If you are interested in music, you can join the Coastal Carolina University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? Coastal Carolina University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

Coastal Carolina University offers a number of services important for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.

This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Coastal Carolina University.

All in all, campus life at Coastal Carolina University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Coastal Carolina University.

Career Counselling

At Coastal Carolina University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

Job Placement

Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.

The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 46,815 USD.

$46,815

Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation

FAQ

Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Coastal Carolina University is 75%.

The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Coastal Carolina University is 77.4%.

Contact Information

Coastal Carolina University

PO Box 261954

Conway , SC

29528-6054

843 347-3161

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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