Coastal Carolina University moved up slightly in the 2017 edition of the U.S. News and World Report "Best College" annual rankings. CCU was ranked 62nd in the Best Regional Universities (South) category, after tying for 63rd in last year's report.

CCU is also one of 15 Southern institutions that made the Best Value category, with a rank of 8. Coastal has been included in this category consistently for the past four years and has ranked as high as sixth. CCU was listed in the Best Colleges for Veterans category as well.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the Best Value calculation is based on a school's academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

"Regional University" is defined as an institution that provides a full range of undergraduate and master's programs, but few doctoral programs. Institutions are ranked against their peer group in one of four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest and West.

CCU offers 72 undergraduate programs, 18 master's programs and one Ph.D. program.