At $13,742/yr net price, Coastal Carolina University graduates earn $47,258/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,258/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,742 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $54,968 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,258/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,258/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,222/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,749/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,209/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,527/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,612/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,750 | $16,666 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $60,771 | $20,336 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $57,318 | $20,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $53,497 | $30,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $48,198 | $24,486 |
| Education, General. | Master | $42,873 | |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $40,467 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,597 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $38,289 | $33,461 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $38,168 | $25,500 |
The Risk Factor
50.8% of students at Coastal Carolina University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Coastal Carolina University runs a middle-of-the-road financial return. You pay about $13,742 a year and land at median earnings near $47,258 a decade out, with median debt under $24,000. That debt load is manageable against those earnings, but the payoff hinges heavily on what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any listed program and carries the lowest debt, meaning you graduate owing less and earning more. Information Science is the other strong bet, clearing $60,000 with moderate debt. The gap after that is steep. Business Economics, Accounting, and Marketing all land in the high $30,000s, and Accounting and Marketing graduates carry roughly $25,000 in debt for those lower salaries. If you major in one of those business fields, you take on more debt than a nurse for earnings roughly $27,000 lower per year.
The biggest risk is completion. Only about half of students graduate, and roughly a quarter don't return after their first year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you keep the debt and miss the earnings that justify it. That risk applies to you regardless of major.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $9,000 to $9,700 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $18,600, and the jump from the $48-75k tier upward is sharp.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing or a tech-adjacent degree and can realistically finish in four years, especially from a lower-income household. If you're set on marketing or accounting, or you're unsure you'll complete a degree, weigh the debt carefully before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coastal Carolina University worth the money?
Coastal Carolina University offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $13,742 per year, but graduates earn only $47,258 annually after 10 years. The nursing and information science programs provide much better returns than the overall average, while business programs offer more modest outcomes.
What is the job market like for Coastal Carolina University graduates?
CCU graduates in nursing can expect strong earning potential at $65,750, while information science majors average $60,771. However, the 50% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, which limits job prospects.
How much debt do Coastal Carolina University students graduate with?
CCU graduates typically leave with $23,750 in debt, which is manageable given the relatively affordable tuition. With average starting earnings around $47,000, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Which majors at Coastal Carolina University have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at CCU offer the strongest ROI with graduates earning $65,750 annually. Information science ($60,771) and accounting ($57,318) also provide solid returns that justify the education costs.