College of Charleston (CofC) vs Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina University, both esteemed institutions in South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. College of Charleston, nestled in the heart of historic Charleston, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to Coastal Carolina University. With a focus on liberal arts and sciences, College of Charleston attracts students seeking a well-rounded education. Coastal Carolina University, located in the vibrant city of Conway, offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like business and nursing. Its larger student body creates a diverse and lively campus atmosphere. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences, such as student demographics, tuition fees, and available scholarships, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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          Coastal Carolina University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          College of Charleston | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Conway, South Carolina | Charleston, South Carolina | 
| Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Public | Public | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 72.0% | 83.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 79.1% | 76.1% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $45
           
          
            Graduate:
            $45
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $60
           
          
            Graduate:
            $60
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1030 - 1190 | 1090 - 1280 | 
| ACT range | 20 - 25 | 23 - 29 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 24.0% | 
| Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 16.0% | 
| Total number of applicants | 15,481 | 20,484 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 12,251 | 15,590 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,519 | 2,473 | 
| Yield rate | 20.6% | 15.9% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $26,318
           
          
            Out of state:
            $42,072
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $30,535
           
          
            Out of state:
            $51,995
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $14,956 | $20,255 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $11,460
           
          
            Out of state:
            $27,214
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $12,518
           
          
            Out of state:
            $33,978
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $5,440
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $3,928
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $8,409
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,550
           
                   | 
  
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          91.0%
        
         Average amount $9,834  | 
      
              
          98.0%
        
         Average amount $9,850  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          60.0%
        
         Average amount $5,848  | 
      
              
          41.0%
        
         Average amount $5,362  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          16.0%
        
         Average amount $20,291  | 
      
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $22,293  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          9,790
        
        
           Men 44.9% Women 55.1%  | 
      
              
          9,967
        
        
           Men 33.6% Women 66.4%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          683
        
        
           Men 30.7% Women 69.3%  | 
      
              
          974
        
        
           Men 22.6% Women 77.4%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Low 
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 60.2% | 53.1% | 
| International students | 1.2% | 1.2% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize | 
| Dormitory capacity | 4,728 | 3,338 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Maryland | South Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 51.2% | 67.0% | 
| Dropout rate | 11.4% | 6.0% | 
| Transferred out | 36.7% | 26.3% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Education, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member