Finance and Financial Management Services at Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina's finance program lands graduates in the bottom quarter among South Carolina's finance programs, with first-year earnings of $46,911 trailing the state median by more than $10,000. That gap matters: nearby College of Charleston and Wofford both deliver starting salaries around $54,000-$57,000, and flagship USC grads earn $62,000. The debt load of $26,000 is reasonable and only slightly above the state median, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio that's workable but not competitive.

The 15% earnings growth to $53,842 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, though graduates still lag behind what peers at other South Carolina programs earn right out of the gate. Nationally, this program ranks in just the 19th percentile—meaning 81% of finance programs across the country produce better early-career outcomes. For a parent weighing in-state options, the admission rate of 80% and average SAT of 1128 suggest accessibility, but that shouldn't overshadow the earnings disadvantage.

If your child can gain admission to USC, Clemson, or College of Charleston, the $8,000-$15,000 higher starting salary would recover any marginal tuition difference within a couple years. Coastal Carolina's program isn't financially disastrous, but South Carolina families have demonstrably stronger finance programs available at the same in-state tuition rate.