Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Coker University #1417 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,047 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Coker University in the 32.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Coker University #1357 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Coker University #1417 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Hartsville, South Carolina, Coker University enrolls roughly 840 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 69.4% freshman retention rate and a 39.5% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid completion outcomes for its student body. Coker University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Coker University #1295 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,047 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Coker University in the 32.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field where employers actively recruit and career pathways tend to deliver measurable financial returns. Access and affordability represent areas where Coker University sits lower in the composite. Coker University sits in the 4.9 percentile for access and the 46.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution with a smaller undergraduate enrollment, Coker University enrolls 25.7% Pell-eligible students and 37.6% first-generation college students. The composite reflects the institution's positioning as a regional private university where return on investment anchors the value proposition, even as access and cost considerations shape the overall ranking.
Coker University's published cost of attendance is $45,805. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,789, middle-income families pay around $18,227, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,160. Azimuth ranks Coker University #758 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Coker's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and private loan options to bridge the gap between net price and what families can pay out of pocket. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students. Understanding how Coker's aid package compares with your family's financial situation requires looking beyond the headline cost — net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and Coker's aid reach varies by income level. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,935, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Coker University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a small private college experience in SC. The institution's focus on undergraduate teaching and regional employer connections makes it particularly well-suited for students planning to stay in the South after graduation. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,935, placing Coker University in the 9.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $6,047 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 32.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 25.7% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 37.6% being first-generation students. This combination of access and outcomes makes Coker University a compelling option for students from varied backgrounds seeking a personalized educational experience. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans heavily toward Business (representing 30% of graduates), and the small size means fewer specialized program options than larger universities. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong support and clear pathways to regional employment.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Coker University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business/Commerce, General
23 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
40 graduates
Psychology, General
18 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
26 graduates
Criminology
21 graduates
Coker University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-focused private liberal arts college. Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Business/Commerce, General, Criminology, and Biology, General.
The institution's dominant concentration in Business — accounting for 30% of degrees — positions Coker University as a professional-pipeline institution where career preparation and workforce alignment are central to the academic mission. Among the highest-earning programs, Business/Commerce, General leads with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $60,372, followed by Business Administration with median earnings of $47,785 and Psychology, General with median earnings of $46,921.
These programs reflect the institution's strength in applied professional fields where employers recruit directly and early-career compensation reflects labor-market demand. The earnings pattern across the top programs underscores Coker University's positioning as an institution where program choice directly correlates with post-graduation financial outcomes.
The concentration in Business and related professional disciplines means most graduates enter the workforce directly into stable, employer-aligned roles rather than pursuing graduate or professional school. This direct-to-workforce pathway is reflected in the four-year earnings figures, which capture the full early-career earnings benefit of Coker University's programs.
For context on how these fields align with national labor-market demand and wage trends, the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides a framework for understanding the sustainability of these earnings outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Coker University's published cost of attendance is $45,805. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,789, middle-income families pay around $18,227, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,160.
Azimuth ranks Coker University #758 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Coker's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and private loan options to bridge the gap between net price and what families can pay out of pocket. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and merit scholarships are available for qualifying students.
Understanding how Coker's aid package compares with your family's financial situation requires looking beyond the headline cost — [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and Coker's aid reach varies by income level. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,935, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Coker University earn median 4-year earnings of $47,935, placing Coker University in the 9.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Coker University sits in the 32.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Coker University #1295 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Coker University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 40 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $47,785, performing at 0.7x the national benchmark for the field. Kinesiology follows with 26 graduates earning $44,706, and Business/Commerce, General rounds out the top three with 23 graduates earning $60,372.
These programs anchor the institution's return profile and drive the overall earnings outcomes that place Coker University in the competitive range for private nonprofit four-year institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Otis College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier (#36212 ranked) | CA | 82% | $58,152 | #36212 | Compare |
Defiance College Similar quality tier (#36210 ranked) | OH | 48% | $49,351 | #36210 | Compare |
John Paul The Great Catholic University Similar quality tier (#36215 ranked) | CA | 80% | $56,930 | #36215 | Compare |
Edp University Of Puerto Rico-Manati Similar quality tier (#36209 ranked) | PR | 68% | $22,844 | #36209 | Compare |
Montreat College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36208 ranked) | NC | 69% | $45,151 | #36208 | Compare |
