Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University

Comparable Facts

Compare Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC with Columbia International University in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (3,793 students vs. 2,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); Columbia International University is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1; Columbia International University 13:1.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than Columbia International University ($22,124 vs. $26,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 18.8% lower than at Columbia International University ($9,705 vs. $11,950).
• Columbia International University is 122% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $15,330 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Columbia International University (about $10,608 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $27,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia International University than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($17,009 vs. $16,473).

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Columbia International University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia International University and Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190) is 100 points higher than at Columbia International University (1090).
• Incoming Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285; Columbia International University 990/1195.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27; Columbia International University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional; Columbia International University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Columbia International University (3.5).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. 35.1% at Columbia International University.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Citadel Military College of South Carolina and Columbia International University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Columbia International University's (57%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $24,800 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have a $2,312 lower median loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,812).
• Among borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($222 vs. $246).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia International University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.