Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Brunswick, Georgia
98.5% Acceptance Rate
College of Coastal Georgia — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.5%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
1001Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$18,975Annual Cost
$39,318Grad Salary
40.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.5%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
1001
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
900–1165
ACT Middle 50%
14–22
Avg Net Price
$12,905
Need-Based Aid
40.5% receive Pell
College of Coastal Georgia is a public, regional institution that emphasizes professional preparation, academic excellence, and community service. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and a student's demonstrated readiness for a comprehensive university experience. The college seeks students who are motivated by a sense of purpose and who are eager to participate in its wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Prospective students should highlight their academic consistency and their involvement in activities that foster teamwork or leadership. As the college is highly engaged with regional industry and professional fields, applicants who can connect their studies to real-world outcomes will stand out. The admissions team favors students who are not only academically prepared but also ambitious, self-directed, and ready to leverage the resources of a growing, research-active, and student-focused public college to build a strong professional career.
College of Coastal Georgia Acceptance Rate
College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 98.5% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 98.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
College of Coastal Georgia Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for College of Coastal Georgia is December 1 for Priority (Fall) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 114 days left — Priority (Fall)
Priority (Fall)
December 1
Final (Spring)
December 15
Final (Summer)
May 15
Final (Fall)
August 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
CCGA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CCGA is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.30–3.50.CCGA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate figures conflict across sources (87% in one IPEDS-based estimate, 98-99% on BigFuture/Niche/US News) - treat CCGA as effectively open admission and confirm current figures directly with the school rather than citing one number as definitive.
- Regular application deadline is August 1 (rolling review before that date); the $25 fee is waivable via College Board, ACT, or NACAC documentation.
- Test scores are not required for standard freshman admission but may be requested for course placement and specific scholarships - a nuance separate from the admission decision itself.
- TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers regardless of the general test-optional policy for domestic applicants.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at CCGA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of Coastal Georgia's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CCGA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CCGA Without SAT or ACT?
CCGA considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
College of Coastal Georgia Average SAT Score: 1001
The average SAT score of admitted students at College of Coastal Georgia is 1001 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1001 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? College of Coastal Georgia allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 900, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at CCGA. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 497 | 430 | 563 |
| SAT Reading | 536 | 470 | 602 |
| SAT Composite | 1001 | 900 | 1165 |
Below 900, you're behind most admitted students; at 1165 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of CCGA's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at CCGA is 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 15 | 20 |
| ACT English | 18 | 13 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 14 | 22 |
Can I get into College of Coastal Georgia with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of CCGA's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at CCGA.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CCGA
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CCGA's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Use the Freshman Index only if the RHSC curriculum isn't met
Coastal Georgia doesn't require test scores for most freshman applicants - the Board of Regents' College Preparatory Curriculum (RHSC) and a 2.0+ GPA are usually sufficient on their own. But if a student falls short of the RHSC coursework list (specific units in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language) or has under a 2.0 GPA, the school switches to a Freshman Index formula that blends GPA and SAT/ACT. A counselor should check the RHSC checklist first - submitting a strong test score is only worth the effort if the curriculum gap actually triggers the Index calculation.
Treat the ACCUPLACER placement test as the post-admission gate
Because acceptance itself is close to automatic (acceptance rate consistently reported in the high-90s%), the functional selection point shifts to the mandatory ACCUPLACER placement exam taken after admission, which determines math/reading/writing starting level. A student who tests low lands in Learning Support coursework that adds a semester without earning degree credit - prep for ACCUPLACER specifically, not just general college readiness, in the weeks after the acceptance letter arrives.
Use fee waivers proactively rather than paying the $25 fee
Coastal Georgia explicitly accepts College Board, ACT, and NACAC fee waivers for the $25 application fee - a detail many families don't realize applies here since it's a public regional college, not a name-brand school where waivers are commonly advertised. Any student already eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver should apply that same documentation to the CCGA application rather than paying out of pocket.
Submit electronic transcripts through GA Futures, Parchment, or Scoir specifically
CCGA names these three services explicitly as accepted electronic transcript channels - a mailed paper transcript or a service outside this list can slow processing at a school that otherwise moves fast on rolling decisions. Georgia public high school students should default to GAfutures since it's the state's own system and avoids any delivery ambiguity.
Expert Insight:
Because CCGA is a near-open-admission institution (acceptance rates cited between 87-99% depending on source/year), families sometimes disengage entirely after submitting the application - then are blindsided when the post-admission ACCUPLACER placement result routes their student into non-credit remedial coursework, which is the actual point where a weak academic record has consequences here, not the admission decision itself.
CCGA Profile
Full Name
College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA)
City
Brunswick
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
31520-3644
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a CCGA Degree Worth It?
At $18,975/year against a $39,318 median graduate salary, CCGA is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $50,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.56%.
How much does a degree from CCGA Cost?
The sticker price is $18,975/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $12,905.
40.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 31.1% take federal loans at CCGA. File your FAFSA early and list CCGA as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CCGA Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $39,318. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than College of Coastal Georgia. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City, IA | 980 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as College of Coastal Georgia. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than College of Coastal Georgia. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
Degree Programs at CCGA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CCGA Admissions
Median earnings for College of Coastal Georgia graduates sit around $39,318 a year.
At about $18,975 a year, College of Coastal Georgia is on the more affordable end.
About 40.5% receive a Pell Grant at College of Coastal Georgia. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.5%, College of Coastal Georgia's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at College of Coastal Georgia average a 3.1 GPA.
College of Coastal Georgia doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.8 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.7, College of Coastal Georgia becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at College of Coastal Georgia — aim above 1001, ideally within the 900–1165 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for College of Coastal Georgia is December 1 for Priority (Fall) applicants.
The application fee is 25. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.