Computer and Information Sciences at Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina's computer science program ranks in the bottom 10% both nationally and within South Carolina, where the state median sits at $66,000—nearly 70% higher than CCU's $38,600 first-year outcome. Even established programs like College of Charleston and USC-Columbia start their graduates $30,000 higher. For a field where entry-level positions typically offer strong salaries, these numbers suggest graduates may struggle to land typical tech roles.

The 64% earnings jump by year four shows graduates eventually find their footing, reaching $63,000—still below the state median but far more respectable. The $28,500 debt load is manageable at that point, though parents should recognize students will likely face leaner first years than peers from other South Carolina programs. The moderate sample size means these patterns are reasonably reliable, not based on a handful of outliers.

If your child has strong tech aptitude and could gain admission to Clemson, USC, or even College of Charleston, those programs offer substantially better starting positions. CCU might make sense for students who need the higher admission rate (80%) and can't access stronger alternatives, but expect a slower launch into the tech workforce and possibly more time in help desk or support roles before moving into development positions.