Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clemson 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 Clemson ($14,379 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 8.6% lower than at Clemson University ($12,146 vs. $13,284).
• Clemson University is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $3,914 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.9% higher at Clemson than at Coastal Carolina University (about $11,238 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Clemson University (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($11,389 vs. $10,087).

Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clemson 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 Clemson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 190 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clemson University 1240/1410; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clemson University 28/32; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Coastal Carolina - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clemson students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Coastal Carolina (3.72).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Clemson vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clemson 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).

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Clemson University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,100 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $3,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($222 vs. $257).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.