Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (3,793 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia College than Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($18,790 vs. $22,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 3.2% lower than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($9,390 vs. $9,705).
• Columbia College is 76.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $9,644 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.4% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Columbia College (about $16,294 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($16,473 vs. $16,451).

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190) is 190 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Citadel Military College of South Carolina and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Columbia College's (50%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $23,500 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have a $1,452 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($23,812 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($246 vs. $261).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.