Coastal Carolina University: A Comprehensive Campus Guide

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) offers a vibrant and dynamic experience that extends beyond the classroom. This guide provides essential information for prospective students, visitors, and current members of the CCU community, covering everything from campus visits and directions to academic information and campus life.

Visiting Coastal Carolina University

Making a campus visit is a crucial step in choosing a college, allowing you to experience the unique look, feel, and sense of possibility that each institution offers. At Coastal Carolina University, visitors receive individualized attention from the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards.

Scheduling Your Visit

It is highly recommended to schedule your visit in advance. Upon arrival, please check-in at least 15 minutes early. The campus tour typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Note that the tour does not include visits to campus housing. If you are interested in meeting with an academic department, please make an appointment with them separately in advance.

Where to Go

Weekday campus tours begin at the Welcome Center, located in Baxley Hall (#1 on the campus 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.

Parking Information

Weekday visitors will receive a temporary parking permit upon check-in. Limited visitor parking is available near Baxley Hall, with additional parking available in nearby lots. You may park in any space except those designated for faculty/staff, handicapped, or reserved. Teal Trailblazers (student tour guides) will be outside Baxley Hall to distribute parking passes to guests upon arrival. Members of the media are allowed to park in visitor parking (indicated on the map in pink) if they obtain a temporary parking pass from the Office of University Marketing and Communication. Visitor parking passes are provided to media organizations by the Office of University Marketing and Communication on an annual basis upon written request.

Read also: CCU In-State Requirements

Directions to Coastal Carolina University

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.

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.

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.

From Conway or the Surfside Beach Area:

Motorists traveling from Conway or the Surfside Beach area entering the University from S.C. 501 should turn left on University Boulevard.

From Surfside Beach, Murrell's Inlet, Pawleys Island:

Take S.C. 544 west toward Conway. Coastal Carolina University will be on the right, approximately 11 miles past the S.C. 17 Bypass intersection. Turn right at the traffic light at Brooks Stadium onto University Boulevard. Continue on University Boulevard and turn left at the first traffic light onto Chanticleer Drive West.

501 north toward Conway. 17 Bypass intersection. Turn left at the stoplight in front of Horry-Georgetown Technical College onto University Boulevard. Continue on University Boulevard through the roundabout and turn right at the second traffic light onto Chanticleer Drive West.

Additional Directions:

From the North: Take I-95 south into South Carolina. Continue to Exit 181A. Turn left onto S.C. 501 and follow signs to Conway/Myrtle Beach. 501 through Conway toward Myrtle Beach; Coastal Carolina University will be on the right, approximately 3.5 miles past the S.C. 501 turn right at the stoplight just past the Coastal Carolina University sign onto University Boulevard. Continue on University Boulevard through the roundabout and turn right at the second traffic light onto Chanticleer Drive West.
From the West (Columbia, S.C.): Take I-20 east toward Florence and exit onto I-95 north. Continue on I-95 to Exit 170. Turn right and follow S.C. 327 until it intersects with S.C. 576. Turn left onto S.C. 576 and follow signs to Conway/Myrtle Beach. 501 through Conway toward Myrtle Beach; Coastal Carolina University will be on the right, approximately 3.5 miles past the S.C. 501 turn right at the stoplight just past the Coastal Carolina University sign onto University Boulevard. Continue on University Boulevard through the roundabout and turn right at the second traffic light onto Chanticleer Drive West.
From the South: Take I-95 north into South Carolina. Continue to Exit 170. Turn right and follow S.C. 327 until it intersects with S.C. 576. Turn left onto S.C. 576 and proceed toward Conway/Myrtle Beach. S.C. 501 and continues through Conway toward Myrtle Beach; Coastal Carolina University will be on the right, approximately 3.5 miles past the S.C. 501 turn right at the stoplight just past the Coastal Carolina University sign onto University Boulevard. Continue on University Boulevard through the roundabout and turn right at the second traffic light onto Chanticleer Drive West.
Hackler Golf Course: To reach the Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University, continue on University Boulevard and turn at Lackey Chapel onto University Drive.

Airport Information

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) 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, Avelo Airlines, Breeze, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. Car rentals and taxis are available at the airport.

Accommodation

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.

About Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University is a public institution founded in 1954. The campus size is 621 acres, providing a suburban setting for students. The student-faculty ratio at Coastal Carolina University is 17:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Coastal Carolina University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

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Rankings and Recognition

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Coastal Carolina University is ranked No. 33 in Regional Universities South. It's also ranked No. 4 in Most Innovative Schools.

Enrollment

The total undergraduate enrollment is 10,811 (fall 2024).

Tuition and Financial Aid

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $11,640; out-of-state tuition and fees are $29,926. Fifty-seven percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $12,952. At CCU, they believe that financial aid should not be a barrier to accessing higher education.

Graduation and Outcomes

The four-year graduation rate is 37%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $38,070.

Campus Life

CCU is a lively community filled with opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and unforgettable memories.

Read also: Premier CCU Student Housing

Traditions

One of the first and last traditions for students while they are on campus involves having their photo taken with the bronze Chauncey. CCU's largest, carnival-like event is held near the end of the spring semester.

Resources

CHANT411 provides a central point of contact for students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors who want a question answered or need guidance navigating the university system.

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