Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (3,793 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($18,825 vs. $22,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 14.2% lower than at Virginia Military Institute ($9,705 vs. $11,310).
• Virginia Military Institute is 67.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $8,476 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at VMI than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $14,130 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $38,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Virginia Military Institute (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 44.6% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($23,821 vs. $16,473).

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming VMI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at VMI (3.65).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) 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. 31.7% at VMI.

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

How do outcomes compare for Citadel Military College of South Carolina and VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have a $1,188 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,812 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Citadel Military College of South Carolina students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.