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Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC·Public·2,705 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $59,600 within 10 years.

23%
Accept
2,705
Students
$20,723
Net Price
75%
Grad Rate
$59,600
Earnings
10 yr
$21,096
Debt

About This School

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina with approximately 2,705 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 23% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $20,723 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $59,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

The Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public senior military college in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Established in 1842, it is the third oldest of the six senior military colleges in the United States. The Citadel was initially established as two schools to educate young men from around the state, while simultaneously protecting the South Carolina State Arsenals in both Columbia and Charleston.

Founded in 1842, this small public military college in Charleston offers a genuinely distinctive experience — the structured corps lifestyle, tight-knit community, and $21,002 average net price make it an accessible option for students drawn to discipline and leadership development. The numbers tell a reasonably solid story: median earnings of $59,600 after 10 years and modest debt of $18,000 suggest decent financial outcomes, though a 73% graduation rate means roughly 1 in 4 students doesn't finish. Worth considering if you're seriously committed to the military lifestyle, but be honest with yourself — the regimented environment isn't for everyone, and that dropout rate suggests some students discover that too late.

Setting
Midsize city
Avg Faculty Salary
$10,071

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing26%
Engineering23%
Social Sciences7%
Biological Sciences4%
Computer Science4%
Psychology2%
Health Professions2%
Education1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1208
Reading 75th %ile640
Math 75th %ile645

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$12,570
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,508
Avg Net Price
$20,723
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$15,430
$30–48k$16,456
$48–75k$18,140
$75–110k$20,620
$110k+$24,047

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$21,096

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
75%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
86%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$59,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$21,096
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$21,096
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$44,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$59,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White73%
Black8%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian2%
Two or more races4%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,705 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

171 Moultrie St

Charleston, SC 29409

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in South Carolina

Browse all South Carolina schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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