Skip to content

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs University of South Carolina Aiken

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public college in Charleston, SC. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public university in Aiken, SC. Citadel Military College of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants and University of South Carolina Aiken about 79%, making Citadel Military College of South Carolina the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,641 a year at University of South Carolina Aiken after aid, and about $20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. About 74% of students graduate at Citadel Military College of South Carolina, compared with 40% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Ten years after enrolling, Citadel Military College of South Carolina alumni earn a median of about $72,085, against $45,603 for University of South Carolina Aiken.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC · Public

University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Charleston, SC
Aiken, SC
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,705
2,962
Acceptance rate
23%
79%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.39–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1085–1285
980–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
22–27
19–26
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$20,723
$11,641
Full cost / yr
$33,880
$21,540
In-state tuition
$12,570
$10,760
Out-of-state tuition
$38,508
$21,218
Application fee
$40
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,430
$8,987
$30k - $48k
$16,456
$8,435
$48k - $75k
$18,140
$11,440
$75k - $110k
$20,620
$16,046
Over $110k
$24,047
$17,502
Outcomes
Graduation rate
74%
40%
Freshman retention
86%
67%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$60,168
$39,689
Median earnings (10 yr)
$72,085
$45,603
Median debt at graduation
$21,096
$24,275
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
39%
First-generation students
19%
33%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken harder to get into?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina is harder to get into. It admits about 23% of applicants, compared with 79% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken?
University of South Carolina Aiken is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,641 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Citadel Military College of South Carolina and University of South Carolina Aiken?
Before aid, University of South Carolina Aiken costs about $21,540 a year and Citadel Military College of South Carolina about $33,880. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken?
University of South Carolina Aiken. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,987 there, against about $15,430 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken?
University of South Carolina Aiken is the larger of the two, with about 2,962 undergraduates against 2,705 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.
Does Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken have a better graduation rate?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina has the higher graduation rate, at about 74% against 40% at University of South Carolina Aiken.
Do graduates of Citadel Military College of South Carolina or University of South Carolina Aiken earn more?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,085 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,603 for University of South Carolina Aiken. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Citadel Military College of South Carolina and University of South Carolina Aiken require SAT or ACT scores?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of South Carolina Aiken considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Citadel Military College of South Carolina and University of South Carolina Aiken look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1085–1285 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina and 980–1220 at University of South Carolina Aiken. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school