Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Overview

The Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public school established in 1842. With an urban campus spanning 300 acres, it has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,661 (fall 2023) and follows a semester-based academic calendar. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, it holds the #1 spot among Regional Universities in the South. In-state tuition and fees are 12,570,whileout−of−statecostscometo12,570,whileout−of−statecostscometo37,752.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Rankings

To get a full picture of what this college offers, check out its standings in various categories:

#1 in Regional Universities South
#1 in Top Public Schools
#5 in Best Value Schools
#18 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie) (At schools where a doctorate is not offered)
#1 in Best Colleges for Veterans
#6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
#84 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)

The Citadel ranks #1 out of 135 Regional Universities in the South. These rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.

Outcomes (57%)

Average 6-year graduation rate (21%): 72%
6-year graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients (5.5%): 66%
6-year graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients (5.5%): 75%

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions

The Citadel has a 98% acceptance rate. Among admitted students who submitted test scores, half had an SAT score between 1080 and 1250 or an ACT score between 22 and 26. However, 25% scored above these ranges, and another 25% scored below. The college has a rolling application deadline.

Admissions officers place high importance on GPA. They also consider high school class rank and letters of recommendation .

Admissions Stats

Application deadline: Rolling
Application fee: $40
Acceptance rate: 98%

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Tuition & Financial Aid

In-state tuition & fees: $12,570
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $37,752

Compared to the national average, in-state tuition here is slightly higher (12,201nationally),whileout−of−statecostsarealsoaboveaverage(12,201nationally),whileout−of−statecostsarealsoaboveaverage(29,084 nationally).

These figures cover tuition and fees (the “sticker price”), which may include library access, gym facilities, tech resources, and health services.

When comparing costs, also consider the total cost (including housing, food, books, and personal expenses):

In-state total cost: $35,942
Out-of-state total cost: $59,986

After financial aid and scholarships, the average net price is:

$20,053 for in-state students receiving need-based aid
$28,413 for out-of-state students receiving need-based aid

Tuition & Expenses (2024-25)

In-state tuition & fees: $12,570
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $37,752
Net price for federal loan recipients (2021-2022): $21,619

Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022)

Family Income	Average Cost
0−0−30,000	$13,875
30,001−30,001−48,000	$16,730
48,001−48,001−75,000	$19,793
75,001−75,001−110,000	$22,150
$110,001+	$25,410

Food & Housing: $9,705

Citadel Military College of South Carolina Academics

Student-faculty ratio: 11:1
52.6% of classes have fewer than 20 students
Freshman retention rate (indicator of student satisfaction): 86%