Citadel Military College of South Carolina — ROI, Cost & Payback
Citadel Military College of South Carolina charges a net price of $20,723/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $82,892. Graduates earn a median $72,085 ten years after entry, $23,725/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.5 years — a 20-year net return of $391,608, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Citadel Military College of South Carolina's 3.5-year payback ranks #229 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 82% of them, and #1 of 60 in South Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $20,723/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $82,892 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $72,085 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,725/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,096 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $391,608 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Citadel Military College of South Carolina's own numbers. Net price $20,723 × 4 years = $82,892 total. Median earnings $72,085 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,725 a year of premium. $82,892 ÷ $23,725 = 3.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $391,608. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Citadel Military College of South Carolina students graduate with?
A median $21,096 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $72,085 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Citadel Military College of South Carolina students graduate?
75% finish their degree. Spread the $82,892 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $110,523 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Citadel Military College of South Carolina expensive compared with other South Carolina colleges?
Its $20,723 net price runs $4,729 above the $15,995 median across the 60 South Carolina colleges we profile, or $18,914 more across the full degree.