Coastal Carolina University is ranked among the top 15 regional public universities in the South in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The only other South Carolina school in that group is Converse College in Spartanburg.

The ranking occurs in the section that rates colleges and universities according to academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The report places CCU in the category of "Regional University," defined as an institution that provides a full range of undergraduate and master's programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.

"This is the third national distinction that Coastal Carolina University has received so far this year," said CCU President David A. DeCenzo. "This favorable ranking reflects the high quality education that Coastal students receive at a great value."

It is the highest ranking CCU has received in the U.S. News & World Report. It follows recent inclusions in "America's Best Colleges," compiled by Forbes Magazine and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and G.I. Jobs Magazine's list of "Military-Friendly Schools."

Of 626 universities, CCU is also ranked 59th in the South in the magazine's Best Regional Universities category. The institutions are ranked against their peer group in one of four geographic regions – North, South, Midwest and West.

Coastal Carolina University is a four-year liberal arts college with 55 areas of study and seven master's degree programs. Enrollment for fall 2011 is approximately 8,900 students from 46 states and 43 countries.