Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Citadel Military College of South Carolina based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 3,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or UofSC? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina than UofSC ($22,124 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 28.3% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($9,705 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $118 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $2,536 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students is 130.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($16,473 vs. $7,139).

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or UofSC? 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 UofSC and Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 80 points higher than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) 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. 22.9% at UofSC.

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

How do outcomes compare for Citadel Military College of South Carolina and UofSC? 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).

• The graduation rate at Citadel Military College of South Carolina is the same as at University of South Carolina Columbia (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $562 lower median loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,812).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $246).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.