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's financial return is weak. You pay $18,045 a year in net price and come out earning about $40,117 ten years later, which puts you barely above what a high school graduate makes in South Carolina. That gap does not add up to a strong payoff for most families.
The bigger problem is finishing. Only about a third of students graduate, and nearly four in ten don't return after their first year. If you borrow the median $26,000 and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings that were supposed to pay it back. That risk is the single most important number here.
Among the majors with data, business pays the most at graduation, and even that starts under $36,000 with $27,000 in debt attached. Communication and teacher education land in the low $30,000s. Sociology and health/physical education come in lowest, both under $29,000 in early earnings. None of these programs point to a comfortable margin over your loan payments in the first years out.
The net price tiers hold a plain warning. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay around $16,000 to $16,500 a year. If you earn over $75,000, your price jumps to roughly $19,600 to $20,000. The aid does little to separate a $30,000 household from a $70,000 one, so lower-income families still face a steep bill relative to the earnings that follow.
This school fits you if you're committed to finishing, likely in business, and you can keep borrowing near or below the median. If you're unsure you'll stay past year one, or you're drawn to the lower-paying majors here, the combination of a 35% graduation rate and sub-$40,000 earnings makes cheaper in-state options worth a hard look first.
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.