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Coastal Carolina University

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

Coastal Carolina University award
Coastal Carolina University award
US ranking
position: 261
Tuition & fees per year: $11,820
Acceptance rate: 80.00%
Median alumni salary: $33,664
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1110 SAT, 23 ACT
Entrance difficulty: Moderate

What is the accreditation of Coastal Carolina University?

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.

What are the admission requirements at Coastal Carolina University?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at Coastal Carolina University?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Coastal Carolina University?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Coastal Carolina University?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Coastal Carolina University?

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.

Coastal Carolina University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT score 1110
SAT Composite median score for all enrolled full-time and part-time first-year degree-seeking students
Avg. ACT score 23
ACT Composite median score for all enrolled full-time and part-time first-year degree-seeking students.
Acceptance rate 80%

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Coastal Carolina University Admissions

Applicants Total: 18,223
Admission Total: 14,613
Enrolled Total: 2,775
Women
Men

Coastal Carolina University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1110

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

8%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

23%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Data not available

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Data not available

Formal demonstration of competencies

Recommended

Admission test scores

Data not available

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Recommended

Preferential admissions consideration text

South Carolina residents

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Coastal Carolina University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Entrance difficulty for transfer students

Moderate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

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