At $18,045/yr net price, Coker University graduates earn $40,117/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,117/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,045 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,180 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,117/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,117/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,478/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,411/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,242/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,634/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,982/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $27,000 |
| 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 | $24,875 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $22,329 | $26,875 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $16,478 |
The Risk Factor
34.6% of students at Coker University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Coker University delivers weak financial returns that make it difficult to justify for most students. The $40,117 median earnings ten years after graduation barely exceed what many high school graduates earn, while you'll carry $26,000 in debt and face a troubling 34.6% graduation rate.
Health and physical education offers the only respectable return at $45,500, but even this program falls short of what you'd expect from a four-year degree investment. Business graduates earn just $35,864 despite accumulating $27,000 in debt, creating a particularly poor value proposition. Education programs split between barely acceptable returns around $40,000 and genuinely weak outcomes at $30,167.
The 62.77% retention rate signals that many students recognize the poor value early and transfer elsewhere. With only 29.49% of students receiving financial aid, Coker appears to offer limited merit scholarship opportunities to offset its weak earning potential.
This school makes financial sense only if you're committed to teaching in South Carolina and can graduate debt-free through family funding. The regional job market cannot support the debt loads typical graduates carry. Students seeking business, communications, or most other majors should look elsewhere for better career prospects and stronger alumni networks that actually boost post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coker University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $40,117 after 10 years against $18,045 annual costs, Coker offers modest returns. The 34.6% graduation rate means many students leave without degrees, making this a risky investment for most.
What are the best paying majors at Coker University?
Health and Physical Education leads at $45,500 annually, followed by Teacher Education at $40,179. Business graduates earn $35,864, while Communication majors average just $32,925.
How much student debt do Coker University graduates have?
Typical graduates leave with $26,000 in debt. Given the low graduation rate and modest starting salaries, this debt burden could be difficult to manage for many students.
What is Coker University's graduation rate and why does it matter?
Only 34.6% of students graduate from Coker University. This means two-thirds of students leave without degrees but may still carry debt, making it a high-risk choice for college investment.