
PO Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528-6054, USA


Coastal Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. This regional accreditation ensures that the institution meets rigorous standards for academic quality and institutional effectiveness recognized across the United States.
Beyond its institutional accreditation, specific academic programs at Coastal Carolina University hold specialized accreditations, which can be especially relevant for students pursuing careers in certain fields. For example, the university's business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a hallmark of excellence in business education worldwide. Such recognitions assure prospective students that the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and academic resources meet high professional standards.
Similarly, the College of Education at Coastal Carolina University is approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), supporting the quality and integrity of teacher preparation programs. This accreditation is vital for students planning to enter the education profession as it aligns with state and national teaching standards.
For students interested in nursing, Coastal Carolina University's nursing programs carry accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which affirms that the programs comply with national nursing education standards, an important factor for licensure and employment.
Overall, the combination of institutional and programmatic accreditations at Coastal Carolina University provides prospective students with assurance about the university's commitment to maintaining educational quality and relevance in various disciplines.
Coastal Carolina University requires applicants to have completed a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or an equivalent high school diploma. Prospective students must submit their secondary school academic records along with their grade point average, as both are essential components of the admissions process. Although the university does not require a computer for admission, it does offer a computer lease option. Admission tests such as the SAT or ACT are not explicitly required, but the university requests the TOEFL exam for non-native English speakers to demonstrate proficiency. Other standardized tests are recommended but not mandatory.
South Carolina residents are given preference during admission, and the institution does not operate under an open admission policy. Dual credit or college credit from other institutions is not accepted for admission, although Advanced Placement (AP) credits are recognized. While letters of recommendation are not specifically required, some competencies are recommended to strengthen the application.
Coastal Carolina University's acceptance rate is approximately 80%, reflecting a moderately selective admissions process. The average SAT score for admitted students is around 1110, with average Math and Writing scores near 550 and 560 respectively, placing the scores in roughly the bottom 40th percentile nationally. The average ACT score among admitted students is 23, also corresponding to a similar percentile range. Applicants numbering over 18,000 annually vie for admission, with about 14,600 admitted each year, and roughly 2,775 enrolling, indicating a strong yield rate reflecting the university's appeal to admitted students.
Coastal Carolina University charges an application fee for prospective students seeking admission. The fee must be submitted along with the application to process it. However, the university offers application fee waivers to eligible students under certain conditions, which can help reduce financial barriers for those applying.
Coastal Carolina University hosts a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) branch unit on its campus, providing students an opportunity to engage in military training alongside their academic studies. This presence allows students interested in military careers to pursue ROTC programs without needing to attend a separate military institution.
Coastal Carolina University welcomes transfer students for the fall, spring, and summer terms, providing several options to facilitate their admission. The university has a moderately difficult entrance standard for transfer applicants, indicating a selective but accessible process. Transfer students are able to bring credits earned elsewhere, as the institution accepts transfer credits to count toward their degree requirements.
The university also accepts recommendations as part of the transfer evaluation, which may support a student's application. Additionally, Coastal Carolina University recognizes CLEP subject exams for credit transfer, helping students with prior knowledge demonstrate proficiency and potentially reduce their course load.
Coastal Carolina University offers a variety of study abroad opportunities designed to enrich the academic experience of its students. These programs include faculty-led short-term trips, semester-long exchanges, and summer study abroad options. The university emphasizes accessibility, allowing students from diverse disciplines to participate and gain international exposure.
Faculty-led programs are typically shorter in duration, ranging from a few weeks to a summer term, and focus on immersive learning with guidance from Coastal Carolina University professors. These trips often integrate coursework specific to the destination, combining cultural experiences with academic objectives.
Semester-long exchange programs enable students to spend an entire term studying at partner institutions abroad while earning credits toward their degree. This option provides a deeper cultural immersion and the chance to experience a different academic system.
In addition to these, summer study abroad sessions offer another flexible opportunity for students to study abroad without delaying graduation plans. These summer programs often focus on language acquisition, cultural studies, or specialized subjects aligned with Coastal Carolina University's academic offerings.
Overall, the university supports diverse program formats to accommodate varying academic schedules and student interests, ensuring broad participation in international education experiences.
Median composite SAT score
1110Median composite ACT score
23Percent of students submitting ACT scores
8%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
23%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Data not availableSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Data not availableFormal demonstration of competencies
RecommendedAdmission test scores
Data not availableTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
RecommendedPreferential admissions consideration text
South Carolina residentsOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
NoROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesEntrance difficulty for transfer students
ModerateGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, Summer