Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is a public liberal arts university located in Conway, South Carolina, just minutes from Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and later operating as USC Coastal Carolina, the university became fully independent in 1993. With a total enrollment of approximately 11,300 students, CCU offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs across the humanities, sciences, business, education, and marine science. The Chanticleers compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Sun Belt Conference, fielding 19 varsity sports. The Chanticleer mascot, derived from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, is a proud, fierce rooster symbolizing the university's spirit. CCU is particularly recognized for its programs in marine science, resort tourism management, and creative writing. The university's coastal location near the Grand Strand provides exceptional opportunities for hands-on research, internships, and outdoor recreation.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$$29,628
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $29,628
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
