Coastal Carolina University is ranked second in the Best Value category for Southern regional universities in the 2018 edition of the U.S. News and World Report "Best College" annual rankings, released yesterday.

Of the 64 universities in the Best Value category, the No. 2 ranking places CCU ahead of Converse College (10th), Appalachian State (11th), the Citadel (20th), Elon University (25th), Winthrop University (52nd) and the College of Charleston (61st). CCU ranked eighth in the Best Value category last year and sixth the year before that.

CCU tied for 52nd in the Best Regional Universities (South) category, up from 62nd in last year's report. Coastal also tied for 19th in the Top Public Schools category and 29th in the Best Colleges for Veterans category.

Coastal has earned high rankings in the Best Value category consistently for the past five years. 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.

"This latest ranking reflects the continuous efforts of our entire University to provide the best possible education to our students at a reasonable cost," said CCU President David A. DeCenzo.

"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 73 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate-level programs including one Ph.D. program.