Head-to-head · 2026
Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs Trident Technical College
Compare average net price ($20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; $1,406 at Trident Technical College), ROI score (8.70 vs 68.02), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($72,085 vs $38,253), and admissions context (22.7% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; Open / not reported at Trident Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.70 | 68.02 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,723 | $1,406 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $82,892 | $5,624 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,570 | $4,546 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,508 | $8,620 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $72,085 ✓ | $38,253 |
| Acceptance rate | 22.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 75% ✓ | 29.6% |
| Retention rate | 85.8% ✓ | 59.2% |
| Median debt | $21,096 | $13,029 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,705 | 10,512 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1208 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,430 | $1,057 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,456 | $516 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,140 | $1,141 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,620 | $2,174 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,047 | $6,542 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 24.6% | 2.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.3% | 6.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.8% | 1.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.4% | 1.9% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 0.6% | 3.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 2.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Trident Technical College reports the lower average net price by $19,317 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $77,268 difference over four years ($5,624 vs $82,892).
Citadel Military College of South Carolina reports $33,832 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,085 vs $38,253). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.8% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina and 59.2% at Trident Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $21,096 vs $13,029, respectively.
6 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs Trident Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Trident Technical College is cheaper — average net price $1,406 per year vs $20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The annual difference of $19,317 adds up to about $77,268 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $72,085 vs $38,253 at Trident Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $33,832. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.