Skip to content

College of Charleston vs Citadel Military College of South Carolina

College of Charleston is a public college in Charleston, SC. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public college in Charleston, SC. Citadel Military College of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants and College of Charleston about 60%, making Citadel Military College of South Carolina the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,960 a year at College of Charleston 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 65% at College of Charleston. Ten years after enrolling, Citadel Military College of South Carolina alumni earn a median of about $72,085, against $56,416 for College of Charleston.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
10,558
2,705
Acceptance rate
60%
23%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.39–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1310
1085–1285
ACT (middle 50%)
25–30
22–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,960
$20,723
Full cost / yr
$32,362
$33,880
In-state tuition
$12,978
$12,570
Out-of-state tuition
$38,296
$38,508
Application fee
$60
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,133
$15,430
$30k - $48k
$13,406
$16,456
$48k - $75k
$16,797
$18,140
$75k - $110k
$20,089
$20,620
Over $110k
$24,996
$24,047
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
74%
Freshman retention
82%
86%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,821
$60,168
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,416
$72,085
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
$21,096
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
20%
First-generation students
20%
19%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Not reported
Early action
Nov 2
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 15
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 College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina harder to get into?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina is harder to get into. It admits about 23% of applicants, compared with 60% at College of Charleston. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
College of Charleston is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,960 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 College of Charleston and Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Before aid, College of Charleston costs about $32,362 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, College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
College of Charleston. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,133 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, College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
College of Charleston is the larger of the two, with about 10,558 undergraduates against 2,705 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.
Does College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina have a better graduation rate?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina has the higher graduation rate, at about 74% against 65% at College of Charleston.
Do graduates of College of Charleston or Citadel Military College of South Carolina 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 $56,416 for College of Charleston. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do College of Charleston and Citadel Military College of South Carolina require SAT or ACT scores?
College of Charleston is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do College of Charleston and Citadel Military College of South Carolina look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1310 at College of Charleston and 1085–1285 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. 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