Elon vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Coastal Carolina University is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (11,348 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

Elon vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($14,379 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 18.9% lower than at Elon University ($12,146 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 303.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $35,318 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.5% higher at Elon than at Coastal Carolina University (about $17,330 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Elon University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 77.1% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($17,867 vs. $10,087).

Elon vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 70 points higher than at Coastal Carolina (1140).
• Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Coastal Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Coastal Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

Elon vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $1,680 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $257).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.