Head-to-head · 2026
Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs University of South Carolina-Union
Compare average net price ($20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; $8,065 at University of South Carolina-Union), ROI score (8.70 vs 10.45), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($72,085 vs $33,699), and admissions selectivity (22.7% acceptance at Citadel Military College of South Carolina; 62.2% at University of South Carolina-Union) 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-Union |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.70 | 10.45 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $20,723 | $8,065 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $82,892 | $32,260 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $12,570 | $7,558 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,508 | $18,238 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $72,085 ✓ | $33,699 |
| Acceptance rate | 22.7% | 62.2% |
| Graduation rate | 75% ✓ | 47.6% |
| Retention rate | 85.8% ✓ | 64.2% |
| Median debt | $21,096 | $11,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,705 | 270 |
| 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 | University of South Carolina-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,430 | $7,340 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,456 | $5,918 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,140 | $7,482 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,620 | $13,146 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,047 | $12,638 ✓ |
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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina-Union reports the lower average net price by $12,658 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $50,632 difference over four years ($32,260 vs $82,892).
Citadel Military College of South Carolina reports $38,386 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,085 vs $33,699). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.8% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina and 64.2% at University of South Carolina-Union. Median federal debt among completers is $21,096 vs $11,000, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs University of South Carolina-Union, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina-Union is cheaper — average net price $8,065 per year vs $20,723 at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. The annual difference of $12,658 adds up to about $50,632 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 $33,699 at University of South Carolina-Union. The gap in the federal data is $38,386. 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 62.2% at University of South Carolina-Union.
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.