Conway, SC · Private University
Is Coastal Carolina University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,258
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,640
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,628
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$118,512
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.59x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,742
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Coastal Carolina University graduates earn $2,258 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Coastal Carolina University ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
19 graduates
85 graduates
59 graduates
205 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Coastal Carolina University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Coastal Carolina University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Information Science/Studies: $75,165) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $25,225) is $49,940/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science/StudiesBest ROI | $75,165 | 2.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,434 | 2.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,373 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,441 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $53,971 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,842 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,695 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,239 | 1.6x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $46,200 | 1.6x |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | $45,918 | 1.6x |
| Public Health | $44,469 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,057 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,034 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,621 | 1.3x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,178 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $39,094 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $38,547 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $38,244 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,156 | 1.3x |
| History | $37,974 | 1.3x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $36,544 | 1.2x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $35,413 | 1.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,362 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,056 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,427 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $25,225 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Coastal Carolina University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,258 10 years after starting, $2,258 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.