Head-to-head · 2026
Coastal Carolina University vs University of South Carolina-Union
Compare average net price ($13,966 at Coastal Carolina University; $8,065 at University of South Carolina-Union), ROI score (8.46 vs 10.45), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,258 vs $33,699), and admissions selectivity (75.3% acceptance at Coastal Carolina University; 62.2% at University of South Carolina-Union) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Coastal Carolina University | University of South Carolina-Union |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.46 | 10.45 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,966 | $8,065 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $55,864 | $32,260 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,640 | $7,558 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,628 | $18,238 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,258 ✓ | $33,699 |
| Acceptance rate | 75.3% | 62.2% |
| Graduation rate | 48.5% ✓ | 47.6% |
| Retention rate | 77.4% ✓ | 64.2% |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $11,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 10,377 | 270 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1143 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Coastal Carolina University | University of South Carolina-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,563 | $7,340 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,292 | $5,918 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,938 | $7,482 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,350 | $13,146 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,219 | $12,638 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Coastal Carolina University | University of South Carolina-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.4% | 100% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina-Union reports the lower average net price by $5,901 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $23,604 difference over four years ($32,260 vs $55,864).
Coastal Carolina University reports $13,559 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,258 vs $33,699). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 77.4% at Coastal Carolina University and 64.2% at University of South Carolina-Union. Median federal debt among completers is $23,750 vs $11,000, respectively.
1 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Coastal Carolina University vs University of South Carolina-Union, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina-Union is cheaper — average net price $8,065 per year vs $13,966 at Coastal Carolina University. The annual difference of $5,901 adds up to about $23,604 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Coastal Carolina University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,258 vs $33,699 at University of South Carolina-Union. The gap in the federal data is $13,559. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina-Union is more selective at 62.2% acceptance vs 75.3% at Coastal Carolina University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.