Coastal Carolina University moved up 10 spots to No. 38 in the Regional Universities (South) list released by U.S. News & World Report for 2023. Now in its 38th year, the rankings evaluate more than 1,450 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality.

CCU is ranked No. 7 on the Best Value Schools (South) list, where it has earned high rankings consistently for the past 11 years. The Best Value category calculation takes into account the school’s academic quality and net cost of attendance.

“Our quality academic programs and reasonable costs continue to be very appealing to prospective students and their parents, as shown by our second straight year of record-breaking new student enrollment,” said CCU President Michael T. Benson. “We are committed to offering our students the best collegiate experience. These U.S. News rankings validate our efforts as we continually work to enhance the reach, rigor, and reputation of the University.”

CCU’s other highlights in the U.S. News (South) rankings include:

• No. 11 in Most Innovative Schools (tie).

• No. 12 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie).

• No. 14 in Top Public Schools.

• No. 16 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie).

“It is encouraging to see how these ratings reinforce the direction of the University,” said Daniel Ennis, CCU’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Being recognized as innovative is a compliment to the faculty and staff who have found creative solutions that show that academic quality and affordability are not mutually exclusive.”

According to U.S. News, the Most Innovative Schools are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities.

Regional universities (North, South, Midwest, and West) are defined as institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate programs, some master’s programs, and few doctoral programs.

CCU enrolls more than 10,000 students, and offers baccalaureate degrees in 95 major fields of study. Among the University’s graduate-level programs are 27 master’s degrees, two educational specialist degrees, and two doctoral programs – the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science, and the Ph.D. in education.