New York: You know her as Sarah Cameron from Outer Banks—the rebellious, sun-kissed queen of Netflix teen drama. But before Madelyn Cline became a household name and a red-carpet regular, she was just another college freshman trying to figure out her next move. Her real story? Far from the Hollywood fantasy—it’s messy, bold, and incredibly relatable.
In 2017, Madelyn walked onto the campus of Coastal Carolina University with the world ahead of her. But just six weeks later, she walked away from it all. No degree. No backup plan. Just a deep sense of clarity and a Toyota 4Runner full of dreams. Her decision wasn’t glamorous—but it was hers.
Today, as fans search “Did Madelyn Cline go to college?” and “Where did she study?”, the truth stands as a powerful reminder that not every success story comes with a diploma. Let’s dive into why Madelyn Cline’s short college journey is still worth talking about.
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Did Madelyn Cline Go to College? The Real Story
Yes—she did. Madelyn Cline enrolled at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, not far from her hometown of Goose Creek. But her time there was short-lived. She attended college for just six weeks before officially withdrawing.
During those weeks, she juggled her studies with auditions, modeling gigs, and acting opportunities. But the pressure of splitting her time became unsustainable. She has since said she ran out of excused absences and realized she was no longer fully present in either world.
Her heart was already elsewhere: Los Angeles.
Why Madelyn Cline Dropped Out of Coastal Carolina University
Dropping out wasn’t a spontaneous decision. Madelyn had been working toward an acting career for years—taking up modeling jobs, appearing in TV commercials, and auditioning relentlessly. Her six weeks at college helped confirm what she already knew: she wasn’t meant to stay.
Rather than forcing herself through a four-year plan she wasn’t passionate about, she made a bold call. She packed up her belongings, withdrew from CCU, and used her tuition refund to cover her rent in L.A.
“I just felt like I needed to go,” she has said in interviews. “It wasn’t even rebellious. It was necessary.”
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Where Did Madelyn Cline Go After Leaving College?
After dropping out, Madelyn drove cross-country to Los Angeles—alone. She took a leap of faith, living in a shared apartment and attending auditions while working side gigs to stay afloat. Her SUV, nicknamed “Dory,” became both her ride and emotional support system during the transition.
In a beautiful twist of fate, her breakout role as Sarah Cameron in Outer Banks brought her right back to her home state of South Carolina. It was filmed just hours away from where she’d once sat in college lectures, unsure if she was making the right choices.
Madelyn Cline and Madison Bailey share insights on fame, growth, and the future of Outer Banks.
Madelyn Cline’s College Experience vs Her Netflix Journey
While she didn’t get a degree from Coastal Carolina University, the experience still played a role in shaping who she became. It gave her space to weigh her options. It helped her confirm what she didn’t want. And for many young adults, that’s just as valuable.
From Sarah Cameron in Outer Banks to Whiskey in Glass Onion, Madelyn’s career proves that unconventional paths can lead to powerful places. And her honesty about struggling with body image, mental health, and rejection makes her journey resonate even more deeply with fans.
How College Shaped Madelyn Cline’s Career (Even for Just 6 Weeks)
Six weeks might sound insignificant—but for Madelyn Cline, it was the launchpad for everything that came next. Her time at Coastal Carolina was short, but it helped her recognize her truth and act on it.
It’s a reminder to everyone feeling stuck in the “shoulds” of life: sometimes, stepping off the expected path is exactly what your future needs. And Madelyn Cline? She’s living proof that the biggest risk can lead to the biggest breakthrough.
