At $21,002/yr net price, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn $72,085/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $38,085/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,002 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,085/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$38,085/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,096 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,055/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,292/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,467/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,921/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,725/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Certificate | $86,129 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $82,123 | $29,192 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,692 | $22,873 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $19,750 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,071 | $23,481 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $55,547 | $27,980 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $48,617 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Certificate | $45,696 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $44,170 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $23,000 |
The Risk Factor
72.8% of students at Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The Citadel gives you a solid financial return. You pay about $21,000 a year net, graduate with roughly the same amount in debt, and hit median earnings of $72,000 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is comfortable, and the 88% retention and 73% graduation rates mean most people who start actually finish and start paying it back.
The military structure and Charleston location tilt outcomes toward disciplined career tracks, and the earnings back that up. The engineering programs anchor the payoff: electrical engineering leads at $63,692, with civil and computer science close behind. If you come out of one of these, your debt sits well under your first-year salary. Business administration graduates land around $48,617, which still clears the debt comfortably.
The weak spot is health and physical education at $41,342 against $23,000 in debt. That is the highest debt load of the listed programs paired with the lowest starting pay, so borrow carefully if this is your path. Think about whether the commissioning route or a public-sector job justifies it before you sign the loans.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $12,000. that jumps to nearly $25,000 once your family clears $110k. So the sticker gap between a low-income and high-income family is roughly double, which matters most if you are middle-income and land in the $75-110k bracket where the price climbs sharply.
This school fits you if you want an engineering or business degree inside a military college structure and you plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you are chasing a physical education degree and expect to borrow the full amount, since the return there is thin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Citadel Military College of South Carolina worth the cost?
The Citadel offers decent value with a net price of $21,002 and graduates earning $72,085 after 10 years. Engineering and business programs provide the strongest returns, while other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
What are the highest paying majors at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Engineering-related fields top the list at $86,129, followed by business administration at $82,123. Computer science and civil engineering graduates earn significantly less at around $59,000-$63,000.
How much debt do students graduate with from The Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
The median debt is $21,096, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With a 72.80% graduation rate, about one in four students leave without a degree but may still carry debt.
Does The Citadel Military College of South Carolina provide good financial aid?
The net price of $21,002 suggests reasonable aid packages for most students. However, with a 98.58% acceptance rate, merit aid is likely limited since the school admits nearly everyone who applies.