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About CCU

Coastal Carolina University is a comprehensive, public liberal arts institution in Conway, South Carolina. More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

The University offers over 100 undergraduate and over 30 graduate-level (doctoral educational specialist, masters) major fields of study including specialized concentrations across six academic colleges. The University offers a Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science, and a Ph.D. in education sciences. CCU boasts a growing array of internship, research, and international opportunities for students, as well as numerous online programs through Coastal Online. 

About CCU Students

Total Enrollment: 10,473 students *

  •  South Carolina residents: 47 percent
•  Out-of-state residents from 47 states: 52 percent
•  International students from 50 countries: 1 percent
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1

  Undergraduate students: 9,790
•  South Carolina residents among first-time freshmen: 40 percent
•  Average SAT for first-time freshmen: 1109 (national average: 1051)
•  Average ACT for first-time freshmen: 23 (national average: 21)
•  Average high school GPA for first-time freshmen: 3.72
•  Students: 55 percent female, 45 percent male

  Graduate students: 683

* Enrollment data from Fall 2021

About CCU Faculty and Staff

Full-time faculty with faculty rank: 500
Faculty with doctoral/terminal degrees: 77 percent
Full-time staff: 781
Student staff: 957 ‌(includes undergraduate positions and graduate assistantships)

About CCU Academic Programs*

Coastal Carolina University is a comprehensive, public liberal arts institution in Conway, South Carolina. The University offers over 100 undergraduate and over 30 graduate-level (doctoral educational specialist, masters) major fields of study including specialized concentrations across six academic colleges. The University offers a Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science, and a Ph.D. in education sciences. CCU boasts a growing array of internship, research, and international opportunities for students, as well as numerous online programs through Coastal Online.  View all programs »

A diverse population of more than 10,400 students from across the country and around the world engages with a world-class faculty, and they all enjoy an inspiring cultural calendar and a tradition of community interaction fueled by 183 student clubs, organizations, and honor societies. Students learn, study, and interact in high-quality facilities, including the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center, the Bryan Information Commons, and the Lib Jackson Student Union.

About the CCU Campus

The University comprises 115 main buildings on 621 acres, including the Coastal Science Center and the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies on the East Campus, and the General James Hackler Golf Course, a public 18-hole golf facility adjacent to campus. The University also offers courses and events at several satellite locations along the Carolina coast. A 1,105-acre tract, including a portion of Waties Island, provides a natural laboratory for extensive study in marine science and wetlands biology on an Atlantic coast barrier island. Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent university in 1993.
View the campus map »

About CCU Accreditations

Coastal Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Coastal Carolina University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

The E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration is accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and the Spadoni College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education.

‌Athletics

The 17 Coastal Carolina athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA as members of the Sun Belt Conference. The University’s mascot is the Chanticleer, a proud, fierce, and quick-thinking rooster derived from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” The football, softball, and baseball teams all compete in the new TD Sports Complex, which houses Springs Brooks Baseball Stadium. The baseball team won the College World Series in 2016.

 

NCAA Division I / Sun Belt Conference

Women’s teams: basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse (competes as a member of Atlantic Sun Conference), soccer, softball, tennis, outdoor track and field, volleyball
Men’s teams: baseball, basketball, cross country, football (FBS), golf, soccer, tennis, outdoor track and field
Visit Chanticleer athletics »

The Chanticleer

The Chanticleer ­– a proud and fierce rooster – is the unique moniker/mascot for Coastal Carolina University’s mascot and athletics teams. The Chanticleer is derived from the crafty, quick-thinking rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," specifically, "The Nun's Priest Tale."

Chants Up

If you have cheered on a Coastal Carolina University sports team, participated in summer Orientation, or attended a commencement ceremony, you may have seen students raising a hand in the air to display the “Chants Up” symbol. “Chants Up” is uniquely symbolic of Chanticleer spirit.

CCU students created the Chants Up symbol to cheer on Chanticleer sports teams. While it may resemble other hand signals, the “Chants Up” symbol is significantly different and is actually a visual representation of the Chanticleer. The “Chants Up” symbol is formed with the pointer finger and thumb pinched tightly together to represent the Chanticleer beak with pointer and thumb rounded, and the other three fingers fanned out to represent the feather comb at the top of the Chanticleer’s head.

The “Chants Up” symbol gained momentum outside of Chanticleer athletics during the summer of 2012, when student Orientation leaders taught incoming students and their families the fight song and “Chants Up.” The symbol quickly became ubiquitous throughout the campus as a local show of support for CCU.

Today, “Chants Up” has become a beloved CCU tradition and is often displayed at Chanticleer sports events, at the end of the alma mater during commencement ceremonies, and as a representation of Teal Nation and Chanticleer enthusiasm.

Click the Weekday Tours link to sign up for our campus walking tours.

Come and see for yourself!

Making a campus visit is one of the most important steps in choosing a college. Every college has a look, feel and sense of possibility that are all its own. Coastal Carolina University is no different, so come see for yourself and find out why so many students experience Coastal and know this is the place for them.

Click on the links to the right to register for your Coastal experience. Regardless of when you visit, you will receive the individualized attention that is the hallmark of the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. If you have any questions about campus visits, please call 800.277.7000 or email admissions@coastal.edu.

Tips for Your Visit

• Schedule your visit in advance. Tour groups will be small, so you must have a reservation.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to check-in. Our tours leave at specific times and additional tour guides may not be available if you are late.
• The campus tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing and be prepared for inclement weather.

If you wish to meet with an academic department, please make an appointment with them separately in advance. Please see departmental contact information on our Academic Majors page.

Getting to and Navigating the Campus

Campus Map

View or print the campus map here. Weekday campus tours begin in the Welcome Center in Baxley Hall (#1 on the map). The street address for Baxley Hall is 100 Chanticleer Drive East, Conway, SC 29526. The Office of Admissions and Merit Awards is also located on the first floor of Baxley Hall. Our business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Parking

Weekday visitors will be mailed a temporary parking permit or may obtain one at check-in. Limited visitor parking is available near Baxley Hall, and additional parking can be found in nearby lots (you may park in any space except those designated as faculty/staff, handicapped, or reserved). Saturday visitors do not need a parking permit and may park in any space except those designated as handicapped or reserved.

Driving Directions

From the north: Travel I-95 South into South Carolina. Follow I-95 to Exit 181A. Turn left onto SC Hwy. 38. Follow Hwy. 38 to the intersection of US Hwy. 501. Turn right onto Hwy. 501 and proceed to Conway/Myrtle Beach. Continue on Hwy. 501 through Conway and Coastal Carolina University will be on the right. Turn right onto University Blvd. at the stoplight with the Coastal Carolina University sign. Tours begin in the rotunda at the rear of Bill Baxley Hall.

From the south: Travel I-95 North. Take Exit 170. Follow SC Hwy. 327 to the intersection with SC Hwy. 576. Turn left onto Hwy. 576 and follow toward Conway/Myrtle Beach. Hwy. 576 will merge with Hwy. 501. Follow Hwy. 501 through Conway and Coastal Carolina University will be on the right. Turn right onto University Blvd. at the stoplight with the Coastal Carolina University sign. Tours begin in the rotunda at the rear of Bill Baxley Hall.

From Columbia, South Carolina: Take I-20 to I-95. Go north on I-95. Take Exit 170. Follow SC Hwy. 327 to the intersection with SC Hwy. 576. Turn left onto Hwy. 576 and follow toward Conway/Myrtle Beach. Hwy. 576 will merge with Hwy. 501. Follow Hwy. 501 through Conway and Coastal Carolina University will be on the right. Turn right onto University Boulevard. at the stoplight with the Coastal Carolina University sign. Tours begin in the rotunda at the rear of Bill Baxley Hall.

Airport Information

Myrtle Beach International Airport is approximately 15 miles (24 km) from Coastal Carolina University. Give yourself plenty of time to travel from the airport to the campus as traffic may be heavy, especially during the summer months. The following airlines provide service to Myrtle Beach: Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Porter Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, and WestJet. Car rentals and taxis are also available at the airport.

Accommodations

There are many hotels in the resort area of Myrtle Beach and Conway. Coastal Carolina University has partnered with Campus Travel Management to provide discounted hotel accommodations to campus visitors. You can find participating hotels here.