About Coker University
Coker University attracts students who want personal attention at a small school where everyone knows your name. With just 807 students, this liberal arts university sits in Hartsville, a small South Carolina town about an hour from Columbia. The school accepts 94% of applicants, making it accessible for students who may not have perfect grades but want to grow academically. Coker is known for strong programs in business, education, and the arts, with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that means professors actually get to know their students.
The money picture at Coker tells two different stories. Students pay an average net price of $18,045 after financial aid, which is reasonable for a private school. However, graduates earn a median of $40,117 ten years after graduation, and many struggle with the $26,000 in typical debt. The monthly loan payment of $276 can be challenging given these earnings. Only 39% of students are successfully repaying their loans, which suggests many graduates find it hard to keep up with payments.
Coker fields 22 varsity sports teams as the Cobras in NCAA Division II, with 461 student-athletes making up more than half the campus. The school awards $3.2 million in athletic scholarships, so talented athletes often find good financial packages here.
The money picture at Coker tells two different stories. Students pay an average net price of $18,045 after financial aid, which is reasonable for a private school. However, graduates earn a median of $40,117 ten years after graduation, and many struggle with the $26,000 in typical debt. The monthly loan payment of $276 can be challenging given these earnings. Only 39% of students are successfully repaying their loans, which suggests many graduates find it hard to keep up with payments.
Coker fields 22 varsity sports teams as the Cobras in NCAA Division II, with 461 student-athletes making up more than half the campus. The school awards $3.2 million in athletic scholarships, so talented athletes often find good financial packages here.
Academics & Faculty
Coker University is a small liberal arts college that gives students close access to professors with its 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The school is known for strong programs in business, education, and performing arts, particularly dance and theater. Students get personal attention in small classes, but the 34.60% six-year graduation rate shows many struggle to finish their degrees. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and internships to prepare students for careers. About 57% of students are women, and the school draws heavily from South Carolina families looking for an affordable private college experience. The low graduation rate suggests students need strong self-motivation to succeed here.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 38.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 34.6%
- Retention Rate
- 62.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $40,117
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Small)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $45,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $40,179 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $35,864 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,167 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $22,329 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $16,478 |
Campus Life
Coker sits in Hartsville, South Carolina, a small town about an hour from Columbia and two hours from Charlotte. With only 807 students total, you'll recognize faces across campus within your first semester. About 75% of students live in the residence halls (housing capacity is 603), creating a tight-knit community where dorm life drives most social activities.
The campus operates on a semester system in classic Southern weather. You'll need shorts and sunscreen from August through October, light jackets for the mild winter months, and prepare for humid summers if you stay for programs. With 22 varsity sports and 461 total athletes, nearly 60% of students play a sport, making athletics central to campus culture. The Cobras compete in NCAA Division II, and game days bring the small community together.
Weekend activities center around campus events, intramural sports, and trips to nearby lakes. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and often join campus activities. Students describe the atmosphere as family-like, though the 62.77% retention rate suggests this close environment isn't the right fit for everyone.
The campus operates on a semester system in classic Southern weather. You'll need shorts and sunscreen from August through October, light jackets for the mild winter months, and prepare for humid summers if you stay for programs. With 22 varsity sports and 461 total athletes, nearly 60% of students play a sport, making athletics central to campus culture. The Cobras compete in NCAA Division II, and game days bring the small community together.
Weekend activities center around campus events, intramural sports, and trips to nearby lakes. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and often join campus activities. Students describe the atmosphere as family-like, though the 62.77% retention rate suggests this close environment isn't the right fit for everyone.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 603 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1908
Campus Safety (2023)
6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 30°–53°F
- July Avg
- 69°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 46.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.5"
Student Demographics
Coker draws students who want small-town college life without leaving South Carolina. With 70% of students coming from in-state, the university has built strong ties to local communities and high schools across the Palmetto State. The student body leans female at 57%, which reflects Coker's roots in the liberal arts and its popular programs in education, dance, and theater. About one in four students is Black, giving the campus more diversity than many small Southern colleges. These are often first-generation college students looking for personal attention and a tight-knit campus community.
- Men
- 43.1%
- Women
- 56.9%
- White
- 54.7%
- Black
- 25.0%
- Hispanic
- 0.7%
- Asian
- 1.1%
- In-State Students
- 70.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 29.5%
Location
Coker University sits in Hartsville, South Carolina, about 75 miles northeast of Columbia and 80 miles northwest of Charleston. This small town of around 7,500 people creates a tight-knit community where the college makes up a significant part of local life. Hartsville serves as a regional center for the Pee Dee area of South Carolina, surrounded by farmland and pine forests typical of the state's inland region. The town offers a classic small-college atmosphere where students can easily walk to local restaurants and shops downtown. With 70.08% of students coming from in-state, many are already familiar with South Carolina's smaller communities. Students considering colleges in South Carolina may also compare Coker University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Hartsville, South Carolina 29550
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $40,117
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $43,589
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $29,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 38.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Coker University?
Coker University accepts 94% of applicants, making it highly accessible to prospective students. This small liberal arts university in Hartsville focuses on providing personal attention with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
How much does Coker University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $18,045 after financial aid, less than the $31,854 sticker price. About 26% of students receive institutional grants averaging $25,519, helping make this private education more affordable.
What is the student body like at Coker University?
The university enrolls 807 students, with 57% women and 43% men. About 25% of students are Black and 55% are White, creating a diverse campus community where 70% come from South Carolina.
Does Coker University have strong graduation rates?
Only 35% of students graduate within six years, which is below national averages for four-year colleges. The retention rate of 63% suggests some students struggle to persist, though graduates earn a median of $40,117 ten years after enrollment.
Where do students live at Coker University?
The campus houses up to 603 students in residence halls, with room and board costing $10,882 annually. This small-town setting in Hartsville provides a close-knit community atmosphere typical of liberal arts colleges.
How strong are athletics at Coker University?
The Cobras compete in NCAA Division II with 22 varsity sports and 461 total athletes. The university invests $3.2 million in athletic scholarships, demonstrating a serious commitment to sports programs in the South Atlantic Conference.
