Elon vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Citadel Military College of South Carolina based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 3,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Elon vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Elon ($22,124 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 35.2% lower than at Elon University ($9,705 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 273.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $34,388 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at Elon than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $8,450 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $38,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Elon University (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($17,867 vs. $16,473).

Elon vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190).
• Incoming Elon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 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 Elon (3.65).
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

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

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

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Citadel Military College of South Carolina's (70%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $562 lower median loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,812).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($240 vs. $246).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Citadel Military College of South Carolina students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.