Coastal Carolina vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, SC (Small City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coastal Carolina University 17:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Coastal Carolina vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coastal Carolina or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($14,379 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 13.1% lower than at Coastal Carolina University ($10,554 vs. $12,146).
• Coastal Carolina University is 11.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $1,168 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104% higher at Coastal Carolina than at East Tennessee State University (about $15,106 more per year; $29,628.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at East Tennessee State University (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by East Tennessee State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($10,101 vs. $10,087).

Coastal Carolina vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coastal Carolina or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Coastal Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming Coastal Carolina students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at ETSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coastal Carolina University 21/26; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coastal Carolina - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.9% at Coastal Carolina vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Coastal Carolina vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coastal Carolina and ETSU? 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).

• Coastal Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,430 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($211 vs. $257).
• More Coastal Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

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.