For the second consecutive year, Coastal Carolina University has been named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys.” More than 1,000 colleges and universities were surveyed for the designation, which is presented annually by Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc.

To be considered for the award, colleges and universities must be accredited, four-year institutions granting bachelor’s degrees and meeting the following criteria:

• Offer full residential facilities including dining services.

• Report a high school grade point average (GPA) and/or SAT or ACT score for entering freshmen that is equal to or above the national average.

• Out-of-state cost of attendance does not exceed the national average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board by more than 10 percent.

Coastal Carolina University was recently named one of “America’s Best Colleges,” a survey by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. The report ranked CCU in the top 15 percent of the nation's four-year undergraduate institutions.

“Together with the Forbes recognition, this honor reaffirms that Coastal Carolina University students receive a top quality education at a reasonable cost — that, by any measure, is value-added,” said CCU President David A. DeCenzo.

Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc. is an independent research and consulting organization that specializes in the recruitment and retention of students for institutions of higher education. The firm annually identifies the American colleges and universities that provide students with the best opportunities in higher education. The “America’s 100 Best College Buys” survey has been conducted for 19 years.