Head-to-head · 2026
Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs University of South Carolina Aiken
Compare average net price ($20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; $11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken), ROI score (8.70 vs 9.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($72,085 vs $45,603), and admissions selectivity (22.7% acceptance at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; 78.5% at University of South Carolina Aiken) 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 | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.70 | 9.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,723 | $11,641 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $82,892 | $46,564 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,570 | $10,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,508 | $21,218 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $72,085 ✓ | $45,603 |
| Acceptance rate | 22.7% | 78.5% |
| Graduation rate | 75% ✓ | 39.9% |
| Retention rate | 85.8% ✓ | 66.8% |
| Median debt | $21,096 ✓ | $24,275 |
| Enrollment | 2,705 | 2,962 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1208 | 1120 |
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 | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,430 | $8,987 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,456 | $8,435 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,140 | $11,440 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,620 | $16,046 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,047 | $17,502 ✓ |
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 | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.4% | 45.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.3% | 14.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.9% | 6.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.6% | 6.9% |
| Psychology, General | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| Biology, General | 2.4% | 3.2% |
| Political Science and Government | 3.7% | 1.4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.3% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina Aiken reports the lower average net price by $9,082 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $36,328 difference over four years ($46,564 vs $82,892).
Citadel Military College of South Carolina reports $26,482 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,085 vs $45,603). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.8% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina and 66.8% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Median federal debt among completers is $21,096 vs $24,275, respectively.
8 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 University of South Carolina Aiken, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina Aiken is cheaper — average net price $11,641 per year vs $20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The annual difference of $9,082 adds up to about $36,328 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 $45,603 at University of South Carolina Aiken. The gap in the federal data is $26,482. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina is more selective at 22.7% acceptance vs 78.5% at University of South Carolina Aiken.
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.