Coker University offers the intimate, supportive environment of a small private college where students receive personal attention and mentorship.
While graduate earnings are more modest than at many institutions, the university successfully serves first-generation and Pell-eligible students in a close-knit academic community.
Coker University is a small private nonprofit institution in Hartsville, South Carolina, serving about 1,100 students in a close-knit campus environment. As a liberal arts college, Coker emphasizes personal attention and broad-based education, though its graduates face more modest long-term earnings compared with many other institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $40,117, which places the university in the bottom quartile nationally for earnings outcomes.
The university serves a diverse student body, with about 30% receiving Pell Grants and 38% being first-generation college students. Coker falls into the "Opportunity Builders" category for mobility, meaning it provides meaningful access to higher education but graduates don't always achieve the highest earnings levels. The institution's strength lies in its supportive environment and personal approach to education rather than in maximizing financial returns.
For students who thrive in small classroom settings and value close faculty relationships, Coker offers an intimate college experience. However, families should understand that graduates typically earn less than peers at other institutions, making careful financial planning essential for managing student debt and long-term financial goals.
Coker University's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission, with the strongest outcomes typically coming from Business majors who represent the largest successful cohort. The 27 Business graduates earn around $35,864 early in their careers, making it both the most popular and highest-returning program. Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 21 students but leads to more modest earnings of about $25,194, reflecting the field's emphasis on service and personal fulfillment over high salaries.
Psychology, with 20 graduates earning roughly $22,329, represents another popular choice that often requires additional education or career development to reach higher income levels. These programs align with Coker's mission of preparing students for meaningful careers in helping professions, education, and community service, though families should understand that financial returns may be more modest than in technical or business-focused fields.
As a small institution, Coker's program scale allows for personalized attention and close faculty mentorship, which can be valuable for career development even when starting salaries are lower. Students benefit from small class sizes and individualized guidance, though the limited alumni network means graduates may need to work harder to establish professional connections in their chosen fields.
Graduates of Coker University face more challenging long-term financial outcomes compared with most other institutions. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $40,117, placing the university in the bottom 12% nationally for graduate earnings. More concerning, Coker graduates earn about $6,000 less than similar students at other institutions, suggesting that the investment doesn't pay off as strongly as alternatives might.
The university's top programs show mixed results. Business majors, who represent the largest successful cohort with 27 graduates, earn around $35,864 early in their careers. Exercise Science and Kinesiology attracts 21 students but leads to more modest earnings of about $25,194, while Psychology graduates earn roughly $22,329. These figures reflect the reality that many of Coker's popular programs lead to fields with lower starting salaries, though they may offer other forms of personal and professional satisfaction.
For students considering Coker, the financial trade-offs are significant. While the small college environment provides valuable personal attention and mentorship, graduates typically need longer to reach financial stability compared with peers at other institutions. Families should carefully weigh the benefits of the intimate educational experience against the likelihood of more modest long-term earnings.
Coker University's affordability picture is mixed, with net prices that are reasonable for a private institution but debt levels that may be challenging given graduate earnings. Low-income students pay about $16,478 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $16,242 per year. Even high-income families pay a relatively modest $19,982, making Coker more accessible than many private colleges in terms of upfront costs.
However, the debt burden tells a more complex story. Typical graduates leave with $26,000 in federal student loan debt, and families often take on an additional $14,020 in Parent PLUS loans. While these amounts aren't extreme by private college standards, they become more concerning when considered alongside Coker's modest graduate earnings. With median earnings of $40,117 ten years out, graduates may find standard loan repayment more challenging than peers at institutions with stronger earning outcomes.
The university does maintain a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that most graduates eventually manage their debt obligations. Still, families should carefully consider whether the total borrowing makes sense given the likely earnings trajectory, especially for students planning careers in lower-paying fields that are common among Coker's popular majors.
Coker University Hub Overview
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