Degree Dividend
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Coastal Carolina University vs Allen University: which has better ROI?

Public, Conway SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Coastal Carolina University comes closer — median earnings $47,258 against a $55,864 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCoastal Carolina UniversityAllen University
Net price / yr$13,966$10,972
Total net cost$55,864$43,888
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,258$30,497
Median debt$23,750$34,290
Payback
20-year net return-$77,904-$401,148

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Coastal Carolina University or Allen University?

Allen University, at $10,972 a year after aid versus $13,966 — a gap of $2,994 a year, or $11,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Coastal Carolina University or Allen University graduates earn more?

Coastal Carolina University graduates report a median $47,258 ten years after entry, $16,761 more than the $30,497 at Allen University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Coastal Carolina University or Allen University?

Coastal Carolina University: its completers carry a median $23,750 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $10,540. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

48% of students finish at Coastal Carolina University, against 13% at Allen University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Coastal Carolina University vs Allen University: frequently asked questions

Is Coastal Carolina University or Allen University a better value?
Coastal Carolina University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Coastal Carolina University or Allen University?
Allen University: $10,972/yr net price after aid versus $13,966/yr at Coastal Carolina University — a difference of $2,994 a year, or about $11,976 over four years.
Do Coastal Carolina University or Allen University graduates earn more?
Coastal Carolina University graduates earn a median $47,258 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $16,761 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.