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Coastal Carolina University vs South Carolina State University

Coastal Carolina University is a public university in Conway, SC. South Carolina State University is a public university in Orangeburg, SC. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants and South Carolina State University about 83%, making Coastal Carolina University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,966 a year at Coastal Carolina University after aid, and about $18,097 at South Carolina State University. About 50% of students graduate at Coastal Carolina University, compared with 33% at South Carolina State University. Ten years after enrolling, Coastal Carolina University alumni earn a median of about $47,258, against $38,262 for South Carolina State University.

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC · Public

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, SC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Conway, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
10,377
2,934
Acceptance rate
75%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.26–3.76
SAT (middle 50%)
1050–1220
800–1050
ACT (middle 50%)
21–26
15–19
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,966
$18,097
Full cost / yr
$26,692
$30,015
In-state tuition
$11,640
$11,060
Out-of-state tuition
$29,628
$21,750
Application fee
$45
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,563
$16,846
$30k - $48k
$10,292
$16,968
$48k - $75k
$12,938
$20,449
$75k - $110k
$16,350
$22,587
Over $110k
$20,219
$24,523
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
33%
Freshman retention
77%
56%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,070
$30,064
Median earnings (10 yr)
$47,258
$38,262
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
$31,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
26%
70%
First-generation students
27%
36%
International students
1%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Oct 15
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 1
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University harder to get into?
Coastal Carolina University is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 83% at South Carolina State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University?
Coastal Carolina University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,966 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,097 at South Carolina State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Coastal Carolina University and South Carolina State University?
Before aid, Coastal Carolina University costs about $26,692 a year and South Carolina State University about $30,015. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University?
Coastal Carolina University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,563 there, against about $16,846 at South Carolina State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University?
Coastal Carolina University is the larger of the two, with about 10,377 undergraduates against 2,934 at South Carolina State University.
Does Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University have a better graduation rate?
Coastal Carolina University has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 33% at South Carolina State University.
Do graduates of Coastal Carolina University or South Carolina State University earn more?
Coastal Carolina University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $47,258 ten years after enrolling, against about $38,262 for South Carolina State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Coastal Carolina University and South Carolina State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Coastal Carolina University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. South Carolina State University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Coastal Carolina University and South Carolina State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1050–1220 at Coastal Carolina University and 800–1050 at South Carolina State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

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