Mercer vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Mercer University is larger than Citadel Military College of South Carolina based on total student enrollment (9,196 students vs. 3,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercer University is located in Macon, GA (Small City setting); Citadel Military College of South Carolina is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Mercer 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: Mercer University 11:1; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1.

Mercer vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer 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 Mercer ($22,124 vs. $24,364).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 36% lower than at Mercer University ($9,705 vs. $15,156).
• Mercer University is 236.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $29,742 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Mercer than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $3,804 more per year; $42,312.00 vs. $38,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercer University than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 105.2% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($33,808 vs. $16,473).

Mercer vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercer 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 Mercer.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercer University (1260) is 70 points higher than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190).
• Incoming Mercer students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 1160/1350; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercer University 25/31; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercer - Required; Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mercer Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (3.8).
• Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Mercer vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercer 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).

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Mercer University's (60%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $900 more per year than Mercer graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $57,300), 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 Mercer 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 Mercer graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 45%)

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.