Coastal Carolina University vs University of South Carolina-Columbia
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -34% | +85% |
| 10-year net gain | $-21,959 | $84,521 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $49,256 | $63,360 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $31,322 | $45,591 |
| Average net price | $13,966 | $22,811 |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $21,500 |
| Break-even | 15.2 yrs | 5.4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 49% | 79% |
| Admission rate | 75% | 60% |
Coastal Carolina University
Poor return
$-21,959 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Strong return
+$84,521 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.