ASU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

ASU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Coastal Carolina? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Coastal Carolina University than ASU ($14,379 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 5.6% lower than at Appalachian State University ($12,146 vs. $12,868).
• Coastal Carolina University is 53.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $4,061 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Coastal Carolina than at Appalachian State University (about $4,416 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Appalachian State University (94% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Coastal Carolina University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,087 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Coastal Carolina? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Coastal Carolina and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 60 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

ASU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Coastal Carolina? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $600 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $4,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($211 vs. $257).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.