Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University comparison
Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University College 3 College 4
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
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Overview

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Location Charleston, SC Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,721 2,481
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #298 #705
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website citadel.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $8,356 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $30,857 $25,620
Room & Board $8,480 $9,950
Avg Net Price $21,846 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $11,428 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 95%

Admission

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,253 506
Admitted 2,221 244
Acceptance Rate 98.6% 48.2%
Enrolled % 30.5% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/27 16/25
SAT Range 1090/1270 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 70% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,200 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,812 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $246 $222

Diversity

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
% Men 76% 46%
% Women 24% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 72%
% Black 9% 10%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
% In-State 51% 59%
% Out-of-State 46% 38%

Campus

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (3,721 students vs. 2,481 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University?

  • Columbia International University is 206.6% more expensive to attend than Citadel Military College of South Carolina for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $8,356.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.4% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than Columbia International University ($30,857.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($19,911 vs. $21,846)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 17.3% lower than costs at Columbia International University ($8,480 vs. $9,950)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia International University than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (95% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 64.8% larger than aid received Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($18,834 vs. $11,428)

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina .

  • The average SAT score at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1073) is 28 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Columbia International University (3.5)
  • Citadel Military College of South Carolina has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

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

Which is better, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia International University and Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

  • The graduation rate at Citadel Military College of South Carolina is higher than Columbia International University (70% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn on average $24,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $2,312 lower median federal student loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,812)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates. ($222 vs. $246)
  • More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/