Analysis
Coastal Carolina's English program graduates start at $25,310—below both the state median ($28,219) and national average ($29,967), ranking in just the 22nd percentile nationally. While that places this program at the 40th percentile among South Carolina schools (meaning it's roughly middle-of-the-pack in-state), it still lags $8,000 behind the state's top performers like Wofford and Clemson. The 19% earnings growth to $30,056 by year four is positive, but graduates are essentially spending their first four years catching up to where peers from stronger programs started.
The $26,000 debt load is slightly above both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio just over 1.0. That's manageable but hardly ideal when starting earnings barely clear $25,000. For context, nearby College of Charleston produces similar outcomes with $29,544 starting pay, while USC-Upstate offers meaningfully better prospects at $30,150.
If your student is committed to English and choosing among South Carolina schools, Coastal Carolina won't saddle them with crushing debt, but it's not positioning them for financial success either. The modest starting salary means those first few years after graduation will likely require financial support or significant budgeting discipline. Programs like USC-Upstate or College of Charleston deliver better value for similar or lower debt levels.
Where Coastal Carolina University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Coastal Carolina University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Carolina University | $25,310 | $30,056 | +19% |
| Wofford College | $34,478 | $54,078 | +57% |
| Clemson University | $33,509 | $40,400 | +21% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $25,729 | $39,823 | +55% |
| Winthrop University | $28,219 | $37,385 | +32% |
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (32 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Coastal Carolina UniversityConway | $11,640 | $25,310 | $30,056 | $26,000 | 1.03 |
 Wofford CollegeSpartanburg | $54,100 | $34,478 | $54,078 | $25,941 | 0.75 |
 Clemson UniversityClemson | $15,554 | $33,509 | $40,400 | $23,123 | 0.69 |
 University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg | $11,583 | $30,150 | — | $25,000 | 0.83 |
 College of CharlestonCharleston | $12,978 | $29,544 | $32,560 | $25,000 | 0.85 |
 Winthrop UniversityRock Hill | $15,956 | $28,219 | $37,385 | $24,500 | 0.87 |
| National Median | — | $29,967 | — | $24,529 | 0.82 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with english language and literature graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Coastal Carolina University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 60 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.