TU vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Coastal Carolina based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 11,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, SC (Small City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Coastal Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Coastal Carolina University 17:1.

TU vs. Coastal Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 TU ($14,379 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coastal Carolina University are 25.3% lower than at Towson University ($12,146 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coastal Carolina (about $88 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at TU than at Coastal Carolina University (about $192 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $29,628.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coastal Carolina University than at Towson University (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Coastal Carolina University students ($11,820 vs. $10,087).

TU vs. Coastal Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coastal Carolina University (1140) is 50 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Coastal Carolina (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Coastal Carolina University 1050/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Coastal Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Coastal Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Coastal Carolina students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at TU (3.69).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Coastal Carolina (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 16.9% at Coastal Carolina.

TU vs. Coastal Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Coastal Carolina University's (46%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Coastal Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,180 lower median loan debt than Coastal Carolina graduates ($17,750 vs. $24,930).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coastal Carolina graduates ($183 vs. $257).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coastal Carolina students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.