WCU vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Citadel Military College of South Carolina based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,793 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); Citadel Military College of South Carolina is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 21.4% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,705 vs. $12,354).
• Out-of-state tuition is 346.2% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Western Carolina University (about $29,878 more per year; $38,508 vs. $8,630).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Western Carolina University (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students is 174.9% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($16,473 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at WCU (24 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WCU and Citadel Military College of South Carolina.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Citadel Military College of South Carolina average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at WCU (3.44).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,802 lower median loan debt than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,812).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates ($227 vs. $246).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.