Clemson University vs Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Clemson University and Citadel Military College of South Carolina are closely matched on financial return. Clemson University scores 86/100 while Citadel Military College of South Carolina scores 85/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Citadel Military College of South Carolina comes in at $20,723 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $1,530 annually, or roughly $6,120 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn a median of $72,085 compared to $71,513 at Clemson University. The payback period is 6.3 years at Clemson University versus 6 years at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.
Graduates leave Citadel Military College of South Carolina with a median $21,096 in debt versus $21,500 at Clemson University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.47 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Clemson University | Citadel Military College ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,554 | $12,570 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,866 | $38,508 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,253 | $20,723 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,012 | $82,892 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,100 | $44,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,513 | $72,085 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.6% | 75.0% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $21,096 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $224 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.47 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 84.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 82.2% | 75.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 38.3% | 22.7% |
| Enrollment | 23,300 | 2,705 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1410 | 1085-1285 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Clemson University | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,607 | $15,430 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,109 | $16,456 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,851 | $18,140 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,833 | $20,620 |
| $110,001+ | $27,922 | $24,047 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Clemson University | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,301 | $71,213 |
| Electrical Engineering | $96,446 | $88,869 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,028 | $83,912 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,873 | $81,055 |
| Accounting | $84,458 | $83,337 |
| Registered Nursing | $74,491 | $60,791 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,059 | $73,116 |
| International Relations | $64,822 | $68,504 |
| Biology | $65,577 | $36,066 |
| History | $50,125 | $64,869 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Clemson University | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 86 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 78 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 84 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 85 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Clemson University edges out Citadel Military College of South Carolina by 1 points (86 vs 85), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Clemson University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.