University of South Carolina-Columbia 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
Citadel Military College of South Carolina holds a 13-point ROI advantage over University of South Carolina-Columbia, scoring 85/100 versus 72/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Citadel Military College of South Carolina comes in at $20,723 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,811 at University of South Carolina-Columbia - a difference of $2,088 annually, or roughly $8,352 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn a median of $72,085 compared to $62,177 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. The payback period is 8.5 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia 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 University of South Carolina-Columbia. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.47 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Carol... | Citadel Military College ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,688 | $12,570 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,972 | $38,508 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,811 | $20,723 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $91,244 | $82,892 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,900 | $44,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,177 | $72,085 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.8% | 75.0% |
| Payback Period | 8.5 yr | 6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $21,096 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $224 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.47 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.9% | 84.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.5% | 75.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.2% | 22.7% |
| Enrollment | 29,820 | 2,705 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1360 | 1085-1285 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,634 | $15,430 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,953 | $16,456 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $19,859 | $18,140 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,478 | $20,620 |
| $110,001+ | $28,125 | $24,047 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $100,042 | $88,869 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,296 | $83,912 |
| Accounting | $86,507 | $83,337 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $84,720 | $71,213 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,148 | $81,055 |
| Registered Nursing | $80,768 | $60,791 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,527 | $73,116 |
| International Relations | $65,464 | $68,504 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $67,705 | $66,934 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,847 | $65,574 |
| History | $45,595 | $64,869 |
| Biology | $58,669 | $36,066 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | Citadel Military Col... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 66 | 86 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 72 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 78 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 57 | 84 |
| Overall ROI Score | 72 | 85 |
The Verdict
Citadel Military College of South Carolina has a meaningfully higher ROI score (85 vs 72). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if University of South Carolina-Columbia offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of South Carolina-Columbia
Fair 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.