Charleston Southern University vs Citadel Military College of South Carolina: which has better ROI?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,892 in 3.5 years versus not at all at Charleston Southern University, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $45,898 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Charleston Southern University | Citadel Military College of South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,666 | $20,723 |
| Total net cost | $86,664 | $82,892 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,898 | $72,085 |
| Median debt | $26,471 | $21,096 |
| Payback | — | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$135,904 | $391,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Charleston Southern University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina, at $20,723 a year after aid versus $21,666 — a gap of $943 a year, or $3,772 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Charleston Southern University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn more?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates report a median $72,085 ten years after entry, $26,187 more than the $45,898 at Charleston Southern University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Charleston Southern University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina: its completers carry a median $21,096 in federal loans versus $26,471 at Charleston Southern University, a difference of $5,375. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Citadel Military College of South Carolina, against 47% at Charleston Southern University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.